Communication device to sense one or more biometric characteristics of a user

ABSTRACT

A communication device for sensing one or more biometric characteristics of a user. The device includes a cover structure, a layer of output pixel elements, a layer of biometric input pixel elements, and a processor. The cover structure includes an exterior surface. The layer of output pixel elements is positioned below the exterior surface and configured to provide an output through the exterior surface toward the user. The output pixel elements being at least one of light emitting pixel elements and piezoelectric-out pixel elements. The layer of biometric input pixel elements is positioned below the exterior surface to receive a reflected biometric input passing from the user through the exterior surface. The biometric input pixel elements being at least one of light detecting and piezoelectric-in pixel elements. The processor is connected to the biometric input pixel elements to process the reflected biometric input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/928,377, filed on Jul. 14, 2020, which is a continuation of Ser. No.16/042,396, filed on Jul. 23, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,713,631, whichis a continuation of Ser. No. 15/345,090, filed on Nov. 7, 2016, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,032,148, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/827,820, filed on Aug. 17, 2015, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,489,609, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/201,823, filed on Mar. 8, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,122,966,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/021,772 filed on Sep. 9, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,065,893, whichclaims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/698,529, filed Sep.7, 2012. The contents of each patent application identified above areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to electronic devices, and more specificallyto portable electronic devices that can identify one or more routes toone or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The portableelectronic device can use a near field communication device to locatethe RFID tag after following the route to the RFID tag.

BACKGROUND

Magnetic cards have many purposes. Examples include credit cards, debitcards, medical and insurance cards, drug payment cards, health careservice cards, stored value cards, identification cards, access entrycards, and the like. Many of these cards have information stored in amagnetic stripe, for provision to communicate with a POS (Point of Sale)system.

At the same time, portable user devices such as smart mobile phones andwireless computers, offer a wide variety of information andcommunication capabilities to the user. Some portable user devicesaugment the use of magnetic cards by allowing, for example, themodification of information in the magnetic strip of the cards. Thereare also mobile devices which interface to magnetic stripe readersthrough the use of a card slot. Additionally, there are card readersthat are completely internal to a secure facade, such as that typicallyfound at an ATM (automated teller machine).

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides communication device configured to sense one ormore biometric characteristics of a user. The communication devicecomprises a cover structure, a layer of display light emitting outputpixel elements, a plurality of biometric output pixel elements, aplurality of biometric input pixel elements, a processor. The coverstructure includes an exterior surface. The layer of display lightemitting output pixel elements is positioned below the exterior surfaceto display images through the exterior surface. The plurality ofbiometric output pixel elements is configured to provide an output in adirection through the exterior surface toward the user. The plurality ofbiometric output pixel elements is positioned below the exterior surfaceand overlapping with the display light emitting input pixel elements ina direction perpendicular to the exterior surface. The plurality ofbiometric output pixel elements being at least one of light emittingpixel elements and piezoelectric-out pixel elements. The plurality ofbiometric input pixel elements is positioned below the exterior surfaceand overlapping with the display light emitting input pixel elements andthe plurality of biometric output pixel elements in a directionperpendicular to the exterior display surface. The plurality ofbiometric input pixel elements being at least one of light detectingpixel elements and piezoelectric-in pixel elements. At least a portionof the plurality of the biometric input pixel elements is positioned andconfigured to receive a reflected biometric input passing from the userthrough the exterior surface. The processor is connected to thebiometric input pixel elements to process the reflected biometric input.

This disclosure also provides a communication device configured to senseone or more biometric characteristics of a user. The communicationdevice comprises a cover structure, a layer of output pixel elements, alayer of biometric input pixel elements, and a processor. The coverstructure includes an exterior surface. The layer of output pixelelements is positioned below the exterior surface and configured toprovide an output through the exterior surface toward the user. Theoutput pixel elements being at least one of light emitting pixelelements and piezoelectric-out pixel elements. The layer of biometricinput pixel elements is positioned below the exterior surface to receivea reflected biometric input passing from the user through the exteriorsurface. The biometric input pixel elements being at least one of lightdetecting pixel elements and piezoelectric-in pixel elements. Theprocessor is connected to the layer of biometric input pixel elements toprocess the reflected biometric input.

Advantages and features of the embodiments of this disclosure willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments when viewed in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a card system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3C respectively show perspective, plan, and side views of acard according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams showing exemplary pixel arrays and pixelelements.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the card shown in FIG. 3B taken along thelines 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a substrate of the card shown in FIG. 5according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of portions of a card in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7A is a plan viewof a portion of the card and FIG. 7B is a cross section view of aportion of the card taken along lines 7B-7B of FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of portions of a card in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8A is a plan viewof a portion of the card and FIG. 8B is a cross section view of aportion of the card taken along 8B-8B of FIG. 8A.

FIGS. 9A to 9E are diagrams illustrating perspective views of pixelstacks in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofcards including a configuration allowing one card to levitate overanother card via magnetic elements. FIG. 10A is a plan view of a cardincluding embedded magnetic elements. FIG. 10B is a side view of firstand second cards, where the second card is magnetically levitating overthe first card. FIG. 10C is a side view of the first and second cards ofFIG. 10B illustrating the first card controlling a position of thesecond card.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams of exemplary embodiments of card holdingbrackets of the present disclosure, where FIG. 11A holds pluralhorizontally oriented cards and FIG. 11B holds plural verticallyoriented cards.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are portable card swipe brackets according to exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a conventional or legacy card reader, orcredit/debit card processor.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a point of sale (POS) card reader according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are diagrams illustrating a card reader configured witha legacy card reader using exemplary conversion techniques.

FIGS. 16A to 16E are diagrams of tethers in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16A is a diagram shows atether connected to a communication device;

FIG. 16B is a side view diagram showing details of the tether shown inFIG. 16A; FIG. 16C is a front view diagram of the head of the tethershown in FIGS. 16A and 16B; FIG. 16D is a side view diagram of anothertether in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and FIG. 16E is a front or rear view diagram of a tetherhead according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams showing a conventional or legacy card.FIG. 17C is a diagram showing a conventional or legacy card being clonedon to a card according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 18A is a diagram showing two cards with different pixel densities.FIG. 18B is a diagram illustrating a pixel assignment to maintaincompatible communications backwards through iterations of card design.FIG. 18C is a diagram showing overlapping different sized cardsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a timing diagram showing transference of data between cardsin a docked stack, or involving an external POS device.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a card in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a stylized view of a pixel actuation zone of the card of FIG.20 , showing the progression of a data stream in the pixel actuationzone in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 22 is a legacy stripe module for controlling the card of FIG. 20 toenable the card to interface with a legacy card reader in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a process of the legacy stripe module of FIG. 22 forcontrolling the card of FIG. 20 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a card in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure, showing an RFID module in phantomlines.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a portion of the card of FIG. 24 alongthe lines 25-25.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a card in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure having the components of an RFIDmodule positioned on a substrate of the card.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a portion of the card of FIG. 26 alongthe lines 27-27.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a card in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure having a plurality of RFIDreceivers.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a venue including a local RFID transmitter andreceiver network proffering RFID localization capability.

FIG. 30 is venue interface module for implementing the card in a venuein accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a process of the venue interface module of FIG. 30 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is an RFID antenna layer positioned on a card in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a portion of a venue incorporating RFID technology inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a plan view of a mat in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 is a side view of the mat of FIG. 34 along lines 35-35.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an overlay and a mat in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 is a view of a user's hand holding a card in a static gesture inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38 is a view of a user's hand holding a card in a static gesture inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 39 is a view of a user's hand holding a card in a static gesture inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 40 is a gesture module for implementing the static gestures ofFIGS. 37-39 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 41 is a process of the gesture module of FIG. 40 in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 42 is a plan view of a plurality of cards in a side-by-sidearrangement.

FIG. 43 is a matrix display module for creation of an ad hoc displayusing a plurality of cards in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 44 is a matrix display process of the matrix display module of FIG.43 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 45 is a user identification and control module in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46 is a user identification process of the user identification andcontrol module of FIG. 45 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 47 is a venue including a security system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant realized that many capabilities of portable user devices suchas smart mobile phones and wireless computers, which offer a widevariety of information and communication capabilities, can be closelyrelated to activities which also involve user devices, such as magneticor smart cards, and magnetic readers.

In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, a system isdisclosed that includes a seamless combination of card and mobileplatforms to provide a user with a network-connected secure, trulyportable device that can provide authenticated information and interactwith the market-place and its associated environment.

The present disclosure provides a mobile computerized platform that canconduct secure transactions by emulating a standard credit card or bankcard in a manner that can transact with the embedded legacy readers,such as those used at a POS or inside physically secure machines, suchas an ATM. Thus, applications of a card according to the presentdisclosure can include legacy card readers and readers providedinternally in an ATM machine, just as a bank card would be processed.

Electronic devices come with the cost of reduced resistance toenvironmental factors, such as impact and moisture. Conventional plasticcards having a magnetic stripe exhibit sensitivity to their exposedmagnetic stripe material by way of direct damage or magnetic inducteddamage. By contrast, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides acard having selected capabilities of electronic devices and conventionalplastic cards while having robust resistance to such environmentalfactors.

A card according to the present disclosure can emit light, sense light,and collect information related to the sensed light across at leastsubstantially the entire major planar surfaces of the card; that is, asubstantial portion of the major surfaces throughout their entireextent. In the context of this disclosure, the phrase “at leastsubstantially” may, in one embodiment, mean the entire first majorsurface, with an edge margin limited by manufacturing capability, or inanother embodiment may mean a significant portion of the first majorsurface, such as at least 90% of the major surface. In yet anotherembodiment, the term “at least substantially” may also include goingfrom a first edge to a second edge in one direction, limited only bymanufacturing capability, and a spaced distance away from a third edgeand a fourth edge in a second direction that is perpendicular to the onedirection, while encompassing most of the first major surface, forexample, at least 90% of the first major surface. Thus, the term “atleast substantially” should be read without limitation as someapplications may make use of the teachings of the present disclosureover a portion of a surface rather than an entire surface. Sound can beprovided as an energy source, which can be emitted and/or collectedacross at least one surface of the card. In some embodiments, one ormore entire major surfaces of a card can emit and sense an energysource, such as one or more of light, sound, tactile energy sources, andfeedback (e.g., haptic). By combining magnetic, optic, and/or auraloutput and input, across the major surfaces of the card, withmagnetic-in and magnetic-out capability across these same surface(s)acting protected and invisibly from behind the optic and auralcomponents, a card according to the present disclosure can scan andinteract with the real world dynamically, and hence allow for a verybroad set of new functionalities and security for individual users,groups of users, institutions, and governments. These newfunctionalities will find great utility and acceptance as developerscreate application databases, ecommerce and network applications.

A card as a user device according to the present disclosure incorporatesthe functionality of other electronic devices already carried by a userin the interest of reducing the total number of such devices, which isdesirable to gain a foothold in all possible domains including but notlimited to the domain of proof of identity and POS use. For instance,the card of the present disclosure permits environmental and weightsavings with the added benefit to the user of leaving, for example, acell phone, portable computing device, vehicle smart key, or PDA/tablet,behind, so as to be efficient in carrying only one convenient, secure,and multifunctional item.

The present disclosure further includes application of the features ofthe aforementioned card's surface to larger surfaces, displays, or mats.Such mats may emulate an array of devices and may be activated with orwithout touch, i.e., touchlessly, through gestures or proximity of anobject, such as a finger or stylus.

A card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure can include an RFID device or array that permits using thecard for a variety of new functions. Included in these functions is theability to track and locate items or objects configured with an RFIDtag, and the ability to create automated lists using RFID tags. A cardhaving the ability to read RFID tags in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure can also serve as an interfacebetween an RFID tag and a legacy card reader. An array of RFID sensorscan track real time movement of an RFID tagged item or object, expandingthe applications of the card and the data that may be gathered by thecard.

An exemplary embodiment of a card user device in accordance with thepresent disclosure will now be described with reference to the figures.Unless indicated otherwise, descriptions of elements having the samereference numbers may not be repeated for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary system 1 in which a user device orcard 100 communicates with a server computer 200, which includes aplurality of units and memory for performing the various functions ofthe system, via a network 210, which can be a wide area network (WAN)such as the internet, an ad hoc network, a local area network (LAN), ametropolitan network (MAN), a cellular network, a wireless wide areanetwork (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), a terrestrial wireless network,another network, or combinations thereof. Card 100 can connect tonetwork 210 via a card reader 212, such as a credit card reader locatedat a POS, an ATM, a secure entry device etc., via a wireless connection(e.g., magnetic, electromagnetic) or wired connection 213, and from cardreader 212 to network 210 through a wireless or wired communicationchannel 214. Card 100 can communicate with server 200 via acommunications device 216, such as a cell phone, PDA, electronic tablet,laptop computer, desktop computer through one or more wireless or wiredcommunication channels 217, and via a communication connection 218between communications device 216 and network 210. In an exemplaryembodiment, communications device 216 can connect to network 210 andserver 200 through a wireless connection 220 to an antenna 219 of awireless network base station (e.g., Node B or eNodeB) communicatingwith network 210 via a communications connection 221. In an exemplaryembodiment, with additional energy expenditure, card 100 can connect toserver 200 through base station antenna 219 through a wirelessconnection 224 without any intermediary communications device 216, orthrough one or more wireless repeaters. In an embodiment, card 100 canconnect to server 200 via a wireless access point 222 utilizing a Wi-Fior other wireless protocol 223, a communications connection 225, andnetwork 210.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment system elements of card100 in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2 , card100 includes an address/data bus 108 through which system componentscommunicate with a processor or controller 110 (e.g., CPU) and arepowered by a power supply unit or power supply 112. System components ofcard 100 include a memory 114, such as volatile and nonvolatile memory;an input/output (I/O) interface unit 116; a communications unit 118 andan antenna 119; a video decoder 120 that decodes video data for displayby a first light emitting unit 122 communicatively coupled to videodecoder 120, and that decodes video data for display by a second lightemitting unit 124 communicatively coupled to video decoder 120; a firstlight detection unit 126 and a second light detection unit 128communicatively coupled to a video encoder 130 that encodes video datagenerated in first and second light detection units 126 and 128; a firstmagnetic-in unit 132 and a second magnetic-in unit 133 that detectmagnetic fields at respective first and second major surfaces of card100; a first magnetic-out unit 134 and a second magnetic-out unit 135that generate magnetic fields at respective first major and second majorsurfaces of card 100; sound/voice/haptic encoder/decoder (codec) 136that receives and encodes a signal including aural information generatedby a first or second microphone/speaker (micro-speaker) pixel array 138,140 and provides the encoded signal to bus 108, and decodes coded datareceived from bus 108 and generates a decoded signal including sound,voice, or haptic information, and provides the decoded signal to thefirst or second micro-speaker pixel array 138, 140 to thereby producesound, reproduce voice, or provide haptic feedback; an authenticationunit 142; a location unit 144; a data exchange unit 146, and alevitation/positioning controller unit, or Mag Lev unit 147. The term“display” when used with respect to card 100 may have a plurality ofmeanings in the context of this disclosure. One usage of the termdisplay is in reference to the light emitted from a plurality of lightemitting pixels elements 107 (e.g., FIGS. 4A-4D) of first light emittingunit 122 or second light emitting unit 124. The light emitted by lightemitting pixel elements 107 of first light emitting unit 122 or secondlight emitting unit 124 forms an image that may be called or describedas a display when used in conjunction with card 100 and variations ofcard 100, unless otherwise noted.

Processor 110 of card 100 can include one or more processors such as atleast one microprocessor, micro-controller, a central processing unit(CPU), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), and other devices designed to perform the functions describedherein, and/or by a combination of any of the above.

In an embodiment providing true N+1 redundancy, elements of the hardwaredesign, would be provided in duplicity and cross interfaced such thatthe failure of any one of these elements will not result in the failureof card 100. These elements can include and are not limited to;processors, memory, power, busses, pixels, etc. The user will notexperience any interruption of service when a redundant element fails.Card 100 will attempt to reboot its down element(s) and report theresults of hardware fault recovery, resynchronize and then report theoverall success or failure to the user and to the servers and operatorsof the overall system. With a completely redundant solution, eachprocessor representing an independent survivable processor can becontrolled with an additional element, such as a redundancy controlprocessor, that exists to synchronize each processor to the next. Eventhe element which does synchronization to achieve redundancy can beduplicated and suffer a failure without disruption of service to theuser. For example, in an exemplary embodiment a first processor (notshown) can control mainly elements on one side of card 100, while asecond processor (not shown) can control mainly elements on the opposingside of card 100. In the event either processor fails, both sides ofcard 100 can continue to function using the remaining processor with allservices offered and uninterrupted.

As noted hereinabove, memory 114 is a non-transitory machine-readablemedium such as a storage medium or other storage(s) and storesinstructions related to programs, routines, and other code executable byprocessor 110 and data structures such as encrypted user personal andfinancial information. Memory 114 can include random access memory(RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory(e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), or any other tangible mediumcapable of storing information and combinations of the above. Memory canalso include buffer memory that holds data to be transmitted by thetransmitter of communications unit 118 until the data is transmitted,and/or data received by the receiver of the communications unit 118until the received data can be processed. Although FIG. 2 shows memory114 as separate or external to processor or controller 110, memory maybe implemented within processor or controller 110 or within anotherprocessing unit. Depending on the permissible thickness of card 100, atleast a portion of memory 114 may be in the form of a micro hard driveor a nano-hard drive.

Many capabilities and other aspects of card 100 and system 1 aredescribed herein in terms of processes and sequences of processes. It isto be understood that these processes and sequences of processes can beperformed by processor or controller 110 carrying out programmedinstructions, although some processes can be carried out using otherhardware capable of executing programmed instructions. For example,embodiments can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware,middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. The programmedinstructions can be program code or code segments that perform necessarytasks and can be stored in memory 114. A code segment may represent aprocedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine,a module, a software package, a class, or any combination ofinstructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment maybe coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passingand/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or contentsof memory 114.

Input/output (I/O) interface unit 116 can connect other devices to card100 either directly or through intervening I/O controllers (not shown).In an embodiment, I/O interface unit 116 allows communication betweencard 100 and other devices using optical, wireless (e.g., RF ormagnetic), or wired/tethered channels. For example, an I/O interface caninclude a portion of the first or second light detection units 126, 128and a respective corresponding portion of one of the first and secondlight emitting units 122, 124 present on the same side of card 100, anda tether including optical communication paths can be magneticallyattached to the portions to exchange data via optical signals. Inanother embodiment, I/O interface unit 116 can include physical ports,such as HDMI, VGA/SVGA, 100BASE-T, 1000BASE-T, IEEE 1394 (FireWire™),and/or USB type ports.

Communications unit 118 includes a transmitter and receiver that cancommunicate with a wireless network element via transmitting andreceiving radio waves (cellular, RFID, etc.) via antenna 119.

Communications unit 118 and antenna 119 are configured to modulate adata signal, up-convert the modulated data signal to an RF frequency,and transmit a signal containing data information received fromprocessor 110 via bus 108 from the antenna 119 as a radio wave over awireless network to a remote device. Communications unit 118 and anantenna 119 are also configured to receive a radio wave containingmodulated signal information transmitted from a remote device over awireless network, down-convert the received radio wave and demodulatethe down-converted modulated signal and provide the output as reproduceddata transmitted from the remote device to bus 108 and processor 110.

A wireless network element can include, for example, an access point(e.g., a Wi-Fi access point), a femtocell, a cellular phone or personalcommunication or data device, a desktop computer, an RFID device, aportable computing device such as a laptop, a tablet, etc., and mayallow wireless communication devices to connect to a wireless networkusing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an element such as a base station using acellular communication technology such as Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access(OFDMA), Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), oranother wireless technology and/or standard. A wireless network canutilize one or more technologies, for example, technologies such asUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UTMS), Long Term Evolution(LTE), Evolution-Data Optimized or Evolution-Data only (EV-DO), GlobalSystem for Mobile communications (GSM), Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX), Code division multiple access (CDMA)-2000, orTime Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA).

Each of the first light emitting unit 122 and the second light emittingunit 124 of card 100 include a plurality of light emitting devices, suchas semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emittingdiodes (OLEDs), monochrome LCDs (LCM), a multi-mode display capable ofboth monochrome and color display modes, thin film transistor (TFT)controlled backlit or edge-lit liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, ora combination of these display pixels, that are arrayed acrossrespective major sides or surfaces of card 100 (see FIGS. 3A, 3C, and4C). These light emitting arrays of card 100 allow for not only adisplay to display images on the major sides or surfaces of card 100,but also to function as a light source, such that the light emittingarrays can illuminate any object within its power limitations, and do sowith any frequency of light card 100 has been equipped to emit, whichmay include one or more frequencies from infra-red to ultra violet. Ascan be seen from FIG. 2 , video decoder 120 receives a coded signalprovided on bus 108 from processor 110, decodes the signal, and firstlight emitting unit 122 and/or second light emitting unit 124 controllight emissions according to the decoded signal.

First light emitting unit 122 and/or second light emitting unit 124 caneach serve as a display such as a cell phone display or to presentidentification, either for a POS operator (or anyone asking for it) orfor scanning. Display features can be provided, such as magnification ofan image on the display, with a control to do so. Because card 100includes a display, boundaries associated with conventional cards become“unbounded.” For example, it becomes unnecessary to display an entirecredit card number since card 100 can communicate directly with a POS orother interface. If necessary, a user may display a portion of a creditcard number, for example, perhaps the last four digits only. If a userselects a function of card 100, he can see all of the informationnormally present on card 100, if and when needed, as a guard orprotection against inadvertent disclosure of sensitive card information.In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 can emulate plural hard cards auser may carry, front and back, first through scanning face to face,then, by way of the display.

Watermarks, (e.g., see FIG. 16 ) could be visible on at least one of themajor surfaces of card 100, but infra-red and ultraviolet lightwatermarks, which are invisible or not visible to the naked eye, can beused for greater security. Use of various visible light frequencies andnot visible light frequencies for display also keeps a public enemy froma data transference connection, face-to-face card communication, or cardin a POS system connection because it is more difficult to capturesignals when using many wavelengths, particularly when those wavelengthsare separated into visible and non-visible portions.

The expanded display provided by the first and second light emittingunits 122, 124 in the familiar form factor of a credit card can conservespace because it can serve several functions. For example, card 100 canreplace a Social Security card, a license (e.g., driver's license), asecurity/access card, an EZ pass, credit card, debit and bank cards,keys, and it can provide emergency medical condition information relatedto the user or user's immediate family, just to name a few. That is,while exemplary embodiments are described herein, the extent ofapplications of card 100 and system 1 is far reaching and thus notlimited to the specific examples described herein as will be apparent tothose skilled in the art.

Each of first light detection unit 126 and second light detection unit128 includes a light detecting array or imaging device, such as acharge-coupled device (CCD) including plural semiconductor MOS diodesarrayed across respective major sides or surfaces of card 100 (see FIGS.3A, 3C and 4B), each of which can represent a pixel of an image. Lightdetection units 122, 124 can digitize an imaging signal output from theimaging device, can perform various kinds of correction processing, suchas gamma correction, on the imaging signal, and output the result tovideo encoder 130 to perform encoding processing on the imaging signaland to output the result to processor or controller 110.

Additionally, first and second light detection units 126, 128 of card100 can be equipped to detect the light created by card 100, or theambient light available in a given setting, or both. Because of theenergy required to emit light from light emitting pixel elements 107 offirst light emitting unit 122 and/or second light emitting unit 124,ambient light is typically the preferred light source for first andsecond light detection units 126 and 128. Through emission of specificlight wavelengths and patterns, from specific portions of the surface ofcard 100, distance to an object can be determined from detection of thisemission and can allow card 100 to use parallax to determine velocity,acceleration, and deceleration of a given target object for display orstorage. A snap shot or video of the event can mesh the image data withthe movement data for real time or later use.

Through spectral analysis of received visible and invisible light,applications to read temperature, substance presence, such as sugar(blood sugar), atmospheric gases, and blood gases, could be provided byapplications developers. As card 100 advances and spectral analysisimproves, card 100 can be configured to perform real-time forensicscanning of a given object, substance, or surface, such as to identifyall substances in a given target as done in a blood serum analysis.These functions allow for many possible applications for card 100 andfor developers who write applications for card 100 to create an enhancedman-machine interface independent of a physical touch on card 100.

The first and second light detection units 126, 128 of card 100 can forman image of objects facing respective major surfaces of card 100, andthus card 100 can operate as a camera. However, one embodiment of card100 does not include a lens or lens set as would a typical cameraassembly, the optical axis of which is typically laid out perpendicularto the imaging surface. Even if some other orientation is chosen,minimization of the image or object angle with respect to the opticalaxis of light transmitting passages (described hereinbelow) is dependenton minimum lens thickness and maximum refractive index of the materialsused in the lens, if such lenses are present, which quantifies theirability to bend light and may require great expense or may simply becomeimpossible beyond a certain limit. As is known to opticians, glasstypically provides an index of about 1.5 whereas one may achieve anindex of 2.42 by employing lenses of pure diamond. As the refractiveindex is a ratio which relates the sine of incident light angle prior tolens to incident angle after the lens, (and which sines may besubstituted by their respective actual angles if close to the opticalaxis, according to the well-known small-angle approximation) the lengthof the optical axis will always be some multiple of the lens thickness.Furthermore, optical axes are always perpendicular to the two dimensionsof a planar lens that, as is known to the arts of optics, also cannot bereduced below a certain multiple of the lens thickness due to theso-called “thin lens approximation.” Thus, lensing requirements placeminimum constraints on 3 orthogonal dimensions and, as one of these inthe form factor of card 100 substantially corresponds to the thicknessof a credit card, card 100 uses an optical configuration different fromtypical optical assemblies. In an embodiment, card 100 uses acombination of micro-lensing, pinhole lens techniques and imageprocessing software or simple collection of light by CMOS or CCD,hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to in this document simplyas “CCD” pixels, in sufficient density to form a functional image. Aswill be described in more detail below, since card 100 has no analogoptics (such as a traditional lens) and since further, it may berequired to display detailed and at times secure images on the majorsides, surfaces, or faces of card 100, the total amount of display andcapture area can be a significant factor for proper functioningaccording to some embodiments. To provide a wider viewing angle it ispossible to emulate an analog lens by varying the substrate supportingthe light receiving pixels in order to position the pin hole apertureson the surface of a repeating convex or concave substrate pattern forexample, as one would view a golf ball surface or the complex lens of aneye of an insect, such as a dragon fly.

As can be seen, the imaging and display capabilities of card 100 canleverage or use the “invisible” or buried (hidden) magnetic layers,which can be controlled to behave as stripes as found on a legacy creditcard. When the multiple sensing elements or sensing element species(e.g., a CCD or light detecting layer and a magnetic-in or read layer)detect a shape or pattern, and modules and processing software locatedin the modules match the information received by various layers, such asthe CCD (visual input) layer and the magnetic-in (magnetic read) layer,card 100 provides a significant improvement in data transmission. Card100 provides this significant improvement by collating a plurality ofsensor inputs or multiple sensor inputs in a pixel stack

A pixel stack is a plurality of pixel elements overlapping in adirection perpendicular to a substrate (z direction), wherein theplurality of pixel elements includes at least one pixel element havingan output or transmission function, and at least one pixel elementhaving an input or receiving function; i.e., pixel elements of differentspecies. The pixel stack is positioned on the substrate, e.g., see FIGS.9A-9E, in a location having x and y coordinates. A pixel layer containspixel elements, each of which may be part of a pixel stack, arrayedacross a plane in x and y directions. The pixel layer plane is spaced adistance from a substrate plane extending through the substrate. Thesubstrate plane is positioned at a core or center of card 100, such as asubstrate 170 shown in FIG. 7B. In an exemplary embodiment, all thepixel elements in a pixel layer may provide the same function, or inanother embodiment, they may provide different functions. The pixelstacks are functional portions of adjacent layers overlapping in atransverse direction to the substrate plane, or the z axis, but eachpixel stack can be described as an individual unit for clarity ofexplanation. Each pixel element of a pixel stack can functionindividually. Operation of each pixel layer can be across the entirepixel layer or in a portion of the pixel layer. An advantage ofpositioning the pixel elements in a stack configuration includes thereduction of communications and power connections in terms of quantity,length, and material consumption, which reduces costs, i.e.,manufacturing costs and material costs.

In the exemplary embodiments described herein, pixel layers that are“adjacent” each other may directly contact each other; i.e., each layermay physically contact each other.

As described herein, a pixel stack appears at the same longitudinal andtransverse, or “x” and “y” location when viewing card 100 in a plan view(see FIG. 3B). Such collation of inputs may be performed eithersimultaneously or separately by timing or clocking of the variousinputs. For example, card 100 may receive optical data that correlatesto specific magnetic data, so that card 100 is capable of receivingcomplementary data from each sensor source (e.g., the light detectinglayer and the magnetic-in or read layer). In one exemplary embodiment,the multiple sensor inputs may serve as a type of electronic watermarkthat enables card 100 to recognize the legitimacy of the source data. Inyet another exemplary embodiment, one sensor source may provideinformation regarding how to interpret data from a second sensor source.For example, optical data received by the light detecting layer mayprovide decoding information for the magnetic-in layer. If the datareceived by both layers is not properly complementary or properlydecoded, then card 100 can recognize a spoof or attempted scam andprevent any further actions. Card 100 may also be capable ofindependently communicating via wireless or wired communication that anattempt was made to spoof, scam, or hack card 100, enabling a financialentity or other responsible entity or individual to shut down card 100remotely. In addition to the enhanced security provided by the multiplesensor or input layers in card 100, output elements, such asmagnetic-out and display, can be managed according to what sensorsdetect, as explained in greater detail below. In an exemplaryembodiment, when ambient conditions require additional illumination, theLEDs can emit light, which can include infra-red or ultraviolet, and theCCD can detect it. The CCD can also judge day from night and adjustemission of light emitting pixel elements 107 (e.g., FIGS. 4A-4D) toprovide for additional light in view of lighting conditions. In order toprovide light for detection by a plurality of light receiving/detectingpixel elements 148, light emitting pixel elements 107 can be clocked toprovide some overlap with the operation of light receiving/detectingpixel elements 148. First light detection unit 126, second lightdetection unit 128, video encoder 130, or processor 110, or anotherprocessor can monitor the saturation levels of light detecting pixelelements 148 and provide this information to processor 110 or videodecoder 120 to dynamically and automatically adjust the time ofoperation and/or the output intensity of light emitting pixel elements107 to prevent or reduce oversaturation or blooming of light detectingpixel elements 148.

Each of first magnetic-in unit 132 and second magnetic-in unit 133 candetect a magnetic field local, proximate, near, or adjacent to thecorresponding major side or face of card 100. Magnetic-in detection canbe provided with micro-miniature layer deposit techniques. For example,a stressed material, e.g., doped silica or doped quartz, adjacent to anon-stressed material, e.g., lead zirconate titanate, laid out in anarray, where the stressed material will change its electrical value whenthe non-stressed material is subjected to a magnetic field. In anotherexample, magnetically sensitive piezoelectric crystals, which permitsignificant transmission of light therethrough, and which varyresistance or current in response to a magnetic field, can be etched ordeposited on the surface of card 100 in an array. The varying resistanceor current generates a signal that can be processed, e.g., digitally, toprovide specific information about the magnetic field received,including any data embedded in the magnetic field.

Each of first magnetic-out unit 134 and second magnetic-out unit 135 canbe configured as arrays of magnetic-out pixels distributed over one ormore major surfaces of card 100 that can be controlled to generatelocalized fields to transfer data, for example, between a card 100 majorsurface and magnetic sensors of a tether I/O device or another userdevice. “Major surfaces” herein are the outermost substantially planarsurfaces of card 100 that face in opposite, or opposed directions.Because of the relatively thin nature of card 100, the terms side andsurface can be used synonymously, except as otherwise noted, with side,surface and face representing areas where the various sensor layers andpixels stacks are arrayed. In an embodiment described later in detail,first magnetic-out unit 134 and/or second magnetic-out unit 135 can becontrolled such that they create a magnetic pattern similar to themagnetic stripe of a card without being constrained to any specificposition on a major surface of card 100. Accordingly, first magnetic-outunit 134 or second magnetic-out unit 135 can be used to create magneticdata readable by legacy and future card readers. This feature isdescribed in more detail hereinbelow.

Because the arrays of pixels of first magnetic-out unit 134 and secondmagnetic-out unit 135 can occupy an area coinciding in plan view with atleast substantially an entire major surface of card 100, stripepositions can be pre-programmed or created as needed based on sensedactivity. For example, a magnetic stripe can be increased to extendacross substantially the entire major surface of card 100, front andback, and still remain invisible on the surface since the layer on whichthe magnetic elements are positioned is under other layers that areunaffected by the generated magnetic fields. If legacy equipment isused, such as a legacy magnetic strip reader, card 100 can adapt andcommunicate stripe data, which can be auto-located at any position andorientation on less than a substantial portion of a surface or side ofcard 100 that enables reading by a magnetic read head of the reader. Forexample, a stripe could be positioned along one side of card 100, in amanner that is similar to or mimics a conventional credit or debit card.The reader can be a legacy POS card reader or another card 100functioning as a POS system. In an embodiment, a card-to-card POS systemcan communicate magnetic stripe data based on handshake of thedisplay-to-display according to a pattern established by the firstdisplay handshake for the fixed in place point of sale system. Hence,anyone carrying card 100 can use it as a portable POS system.

In the context of this disclosure, the term handshake describesrecognizing the proximity of device or card 100, determining that deviceor card 100 is functional and transmitting data, and authorizing thereception of the data and, if appropriate, the transmission of data. Thehandshake function may extend to communication with near fieldcommunication (NFC) devices, such as RFID and magnetic data emitters,communication with Wi-Fi, communication by way of properly coded orencoded aural or sound emissions, optical communication at both visibleand invisible wavelengths, quantum entangled devices (QED's), andthrough other systems to establish a communication link, andcombinations of two or more systems and methods. In an exemplaryembodiment, handshake between card 100 and another, separate card 100 oranother device or system may initially require a data inquiry fromseparate card 100 or another device or system. Card 100 then advises theuser that the inquiry has been received. The user may then speak to card100, providing a specific phrase or code word that tells card 100 thenature of the handshake and communication link, providing limits to thelink, such as the types of data permissible to be transmitted from card100 to another card 100 or another device or system.

Card 100 can include a sound/voice/haptic codec 136 configured toreceive a sound or voice signal from either first micro-speaker pixelarray 138 or second micro-speaker array 140 (e.g., piezoelectricarrays), encode the signal, and provide the encoded voice/sound signalto processor 110 via bus 108. Sound/voice/haptic codec 136 receivescoded sound, voice, or haptic data from processor 110 via bus 108,decodes the data, and generates a signal to micro-speaker pixel array138 or micro-speaker pixel array 140. Hence, micro-speaker pixel arrays138, 140 can provide, at least to some minimal extent, functions of amicrophone, a speaker, or haptic feedback device.

Authentication unit 142 of card 100 gathers identification informationabout card 100 and the user, which in an embodiment can be transmittedto a card/user authentication unit 230 of server 200, described in moredetail hereinbelow, for authentication of card 100 and/or the card user.In another embodiment, card 100 can store biometric data for loginauthentication to the extent permissible by a security scheme, cardprocessing power, and/or card memory capacity. As will be describedlater in detail, plural physical characteristics such as fingerprints,capillary patterns, pulse and micro-pulse patterns, voice prints,retinal or iris prints, etc. can be used for identification purposes,for example, at login or during a transaction. Also, an account number,expiration date, PIN number, password and other card information andindicia can be transmitted in encrypted form from authentication unit142 of card 100 to card/user authentication unit 230 of server 200 forauthenticating card 100.

Location unit 144 is a location determining unit, such as a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver. Location unit 144 may be positionedin substrate 170 of card 100, on substrate 170 between substrate 170 anda light detecting pixel layer or light detecting layer 186 a or 186 b,or in other locations where location unit 144 will permit operation ofthe other portions of card 100. Location information determined bylocation unit 144 is transmitted to server 200, where it can be utilizedby one or more system applications, such as a value analyzing unit 232and a tracking unit 236, which are described in detail later in thisdisclosure. Alternatively, location of card 100 can be derived in otherways, such as by using multilateration of radio signals, such as thosereceived from cellular networks, manual entry by user, or throughintegration to other electronic devices that know their respectivelocation and can share the location data.

Power supply 112 delivers power to system elements of card 100, forexample the system elements shown in FIG. 2 . Power supply 112 cansupply power from any of a number of sources. For example, aside fromknown RFID powering mechanisms, there is a known method pioneered byIntel in which movable inductors pass wireless power to fixed inductorsprovided within card 100, power transfer via capacitive coupling, etc.Of course, card 100 can also be equipped with its own battery as abattery “layer,” for example, a thin film or ultrathin film rechargeablelithium ion or lithium polymer battery will fit within the proposed formfactor or any larger form factor along a central core of card 100, e.g.,substrate 170.

Power supply 112 of card 100 can include a power management unit tomanage, generate, and conserve power, although a power management unitcan be included as a unit separate from and communicatively connected topower supply 112. For example, an embodiment can include a power savingmode in which the display operates in a power-saving monochrome onlymode. An embodiment can include elements for determining whether to turnoff one, both, or portions of first or second light emitting units 122,124 (i.e., the dual display units). Indeed, while the major surfaceshave the capability of emitting light, in many cases emitting light fromboth surfaces is unnecessary, and processor 110 includes the capabilityto identify when only a single surface needs to emit light, thus card100 is adaptive with respect to the need to expend energize. Forexample, an embodiment of card 100 can include a tilt sensor, such as amicroelectromechanical or MEM accelerometer, and/or recognition softwarethat can identify features or level of luminance in an image sensed bythe first and second light detection units 126, 128, and control powercan be provided according to the detected orientation, recognizedfeatures, or detected luminance. For example, card 100 can include anapplication that auto-orients any display or runs an application in aspecific orientation, using tilt and/or accelerometer data. Applicationsfor orientation can also be sensitive to what processor 110 of card 100determines it is recognizing from its light collecting input (e.g.,light detection at a CCD of the light detection units 126 and/or 128).

In an embodiment, magnetic stripes are provided in card 100. In anembodiment, magnetic stripes are positioned between major surfaces ofcard 100, such that the magnetic stripes are “buried” and not visible onthe major surfaces of card 100. One or more magnetic stripes positionedon card 100 can be programmed, for example, according to ISO/IEC 7811,ISO/IEC 7813, and ISO/IEC 4909 standards or otherwise described herein,to include information such as account information, identifyinginformation (e.g., driver's license, credit card, identification card,secure access card), monetary value (e.g., fare cards, gift cards,virtual money), etc. that can be read/written by cardreaders/programmers. The magnetic stripes can be generated in fourpositions (see FIGS. 3B and 5 ) to allow haphazard insertion of card 100into a swipe or slot type reader in any card orientation relative to thereader (e.g., the slot of a reader), and getting a single action to“take” every time regardless of the orientation of card 100 whileswiping or insertion into the reader. Card 100 can be backwardscompatible to the older technology of magnetic swipe such that anything“magnetic swipe” or slot insertion type is instantly compatible. Behindthe magnetic stripe material can be micro-miniaturized magnetic writeheads which will erase and re-write the data found on the stripe underthe control of system 1.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 , card 100 includes a plurality ofprocessors, such as processor or controller 110, video encoder 120,video encoder 130, and codec 130. However, the arrangement of processorsmay be different from the description herein in that all processors maybe combined into a single processor or controller performing thefunctions of processor 110 and the other processors of card 100, or card100 may include additional processors or controllers, depending on thespeed needed to perform various functions, the cost of processors orcontrollers, etc.

The configuration of card 100 as described herein provides a compact,relatively thin, flat multifunction computer that includes at least onesensor input, at least one emitter or transmitter, and a displayfunction. The compact nature of card 100 and the ability to form layersof pixel elements permits card 100 to be a relatively inexpensive,lightweight alternative to other electronic devices.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of card 100. FIG.3A is a perspective view, FIG. 3B is a plan view, and FIG. 3 c is a sideview of card 100. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, card 100 includes a firstmajor side, face, or surface 101, a second major side, face, surface102, a first physical port 103 a, a second physical port 103 b, andplural magnetic stripes 104.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of card 100, which shows first majorsurface 101, second major surface 102, and a side, or edge surface 105that extends from first major side, face or surface 101 to second side,face, or surface 102, and which includes physical ports 103 a and 103 b.First major surface 101 includes or covers an intermixed array 106 a andsecond major surface 102 includes or covers an intermixed array 106 b.An intermixed array includes at least two different array units,including but not limited to a light emitting unit, light detectionunit, magnetic-in unit, magnetic-out unit, and micro-speaker array.Intermixed arrays may be configured as planar arrays, or as stacked orvertically-extending arrays. Each array unit includes pluralindependently controlled pixels.

In the FIG. 3B plan view, each magnetic stripe 104 is shown in phantombecause they are positioned below the outer obverse and reverse (major)surfaces of card 100 (i.e., first and second major surfaces 101, 102),and thus are “invisible.” The magnetic stripes 104 are programmablestrip regions shown as separate strips, but in another embodiment themagnetic layer could extend over a greater or smaller amount within anarea defined by the periphery of the major surfaces 101, 102 of card 100in the plan view, in which case the strip regions are virtual regionsthat can be programmed and deprogrammed, as needed, when needed. Inaddition to being able to program magnetic-out pixels to emulate amagnetic stripe 104, the magnetic-out pixels may be operated to providedirectionality to magnetic-out data, increasing the adaptability of card100 to interface with magnetic readers.

FIG. 3C is a side view of an exemplary card 100 including first physicalport 103 a and second physical port 103 b. In an embodiment, physicalport 103 a and physical port 103 b have different configurations fromeach other, for example, an IEEE 1394 interface, a USB (universal serialbus) port, or another interface type physical port. Physical ports canbe excluded to the greatest extent possible, or entirely in someembodiments in the interest of improved weatherability, betterconformity to the credit card form factor, and resistance to dirt,liquid water, or water vapor that may cause degradation of the internalcomponents of card 100.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are figures showing plan views of pixel elements that canbe used in intermixed arrays of card 100. FIG. 4A shows an exemplaryarrangement of arrayed light emitting pixels 107, or display pixels ofthe first and second light emitting units 122, 124. FIG. 4B shows anexemplary arrangement of arrayed light detecting elements or pixels(e.g., a CCD MOS diode) of first and second light detection units 126128. FIGS. 4C and 4D show portions of an intermixed planar array 99 aand an intermixed planar array 99 b that, in an exemplary embodiment,are provided on a substrate, such as substrate 170 shown in FIG. 5 .FIG. 4C is a diagram of a portion a portion of a major surface 101, 102of card 100 showing an exemplary embodiment of intermixed planar arrays99 a, 99 b including both light emitting elements 107 and lightdetecting elements 148 arrayed on the depicted portion. FIG. 4D showsexemplary intermixed arrays 99 a, 99 b including additional types ofarray (pixel) elements including but not limited to a plurality ofmagnetic-out pixels 109, magnetic-in pixels 150, piezoelectric-in pixels111, and piezoelectric-out pixels 113. Each of the additional pixelelements are arrayed along each side of substrate 170 along with lightemitting pixel elements 107 and light detecting pixel elements 148. Itis to be understood that the intermixed arrangement depicted in FIG. 4Dis exemplary and that different types of arrayed pixel elements, moretypes of arrayed pixel elements, or less types of arrayed pixel elementsmay be provided having densities different from those depicted anddifferent from one another. It is to be understood that each lightemitting pixel element 107 can include more than one component, such asplural light emitters for color light emission (e.g., using green, blueand red sub-pixels, but also operable in a monochromatic mode) and thedifferent types of pixels of the intermixed array can be arranged havingdensities that are the same or different from one another.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view diagram taken across lines 5-5 of FIG.3B and shows details of an embodiment of card 100. As shown in FIG. 5 ,card 100 includes a substrate 170, which includes electronic elements ofcard 100. The above-described intermixed arrays are positioned orstacked on a first major surface 171 a and a second major surface 171 bof substrate 170 in first and second stacking directions, whichrespectively run in directions normal to surfaces 171 a and 171 b, i.e.,in the vertical directions in FIG. 5 . First intermixed array 106 a isprovided adjacent to first major surface 171 a in the first stackingdirection; second intermixed array 106 b is provided adjacent to secondmajor surface 171 b in the second stacking direction opposite to thefirst stacking direction.

A first cover structure 174 a and a second structure 174 b are providedso as to cover and seal against respective major surfaces 171 a and 171b to provide a water-free and dust-free environment for first and secondintermixed array portions 106 a and 106 b. First cover structure 174 aand second cover structure 174 b also set, establish, provide, orposition a distance, space, or gap of the closest possible object tofirst and second intermixed arrays 106 a and 106 b, that being thethickness of either first cover structure 174 a or second coverstructure 174 b and the distance from an interior of either first coverstructure 174 a or second cover structure 174 b to the outermost layersof first intermixed array 106 a or second intermixed array 106 b,respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of first coverstructure 174 a and second cover structure 174 b is approximatelyidentical. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment a small gap 178 isprovided between the interior surfaces of first cover structure 174 aand second cover structure 174 b and intermixed arrays 106 a and 106 b,respectively, to permit light emitted from light emitting pixel elements107 to be reflected from objects external to first cover structure 174 aand second cover structure 174 b to be received by light detecting pixelelements 148. For example, card 100 is capable of detecting fingerprintsby way of one or more sensor elements, e.g., light detecting pixelelements 148. Fingerprints can be detected at a distance from firstcover structure 174 a or second cover structure 174 b, or directly onfirst cover structure 174 a or second cover structure 174 b.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 , cover structures 174 a and 174 bare each a bezel-less molded single film covering and sealing therespective first and second intermixed array portions 106 a, 106 b,although in an exemplary embodiment a card cover structure such as coverstructures 174 a and 174 b can be a bezel type covering structure andcan include additional supporting elements, for example, at edges ofcard 100, and may include alignment/supporting structures to assist inaligning and supporting cover structures. Cover structures 174 a, 174 binclude transparent portions allowing transmission of light from lightemitting elements of the first and second light emitting units 122, 124,and transmission of light from outside card 100 to light detectingelements of the first and second light detecting units 126, 128. Coverstructures 174 a and 174 b may also include a conductive portion thatmay be formed by, for example, embedding conductive materials in one orboth of cover structures 174 a and 174 b. These conductive portionsprovide an electrical connection from an exterior portion of coverstructures 174 a and/or 174 b to an interior portion of cover structures174 a and/or 174 b. These electrical connections may be for a chargingconnection, such as from a dock or charging device, for a dataconnection, or for other purposes. By providing an embedded connection,either in the form of a metal portion with a minimal portion exposed toan exterior of cover structure 174 a or 174 b, and providing aconnection to internal wires, components, or layers of card 100,corrosion can be minimized or eliminated, depending on the type ofmaterial used for the conductive portion(s).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , magnetic stripes 104 a, 104 b areprovided inside cover structure 174 a, preferably on or near majorsurface 171 a of substrate 170; and magnetic stripes 104 c, 104 d areprovided inside cover structure 174 b, preferably on or near majorsurface of substrate 171 b. In another embodiment, no magnetic stripesin the form of a film are provided because the function of one or moremagnetic strips can be performed using magnetic pixels of first andsecond magnetic-out units 134 and 135 that can be programmed to produceany field associated with any type card. Another embodiment can includeboth one or more magnetic-out units and a magnetic stripe for a level ofredundancy.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of substrate 170, whichincludes plural electronic devices used to operate card 100 and canserve to provide strength and an acceptable amount of stiffness to card100. In an embodiment, substrate 170 includes processor 110; powersupply 112 including a battery 180, such as a thin/ultrathin filmlithium ion or lithium polymer battery, and a power management device182; memory 114; communication unit 118; antenna; and other devices suchas a tilt sensor, an accelerometer (not shown), and/or other electronicelements. While not shown in FIG. 6 , substrate 170 can include at leastone serial interface or physical port (see FIGS. 3A and 3C) (e.g., USB,IEEE 1394 etc.), although embodiments of card 100 may forgo inclusion ofany physical ports. The electronic devices included with substrate 170can be embedded in substrate 170, included in recessed areas, or surfacemounted on substrate 170. Substrate 170 can include wire traces,multi-layered wiring, and through holes to interconnect electronicdevices with substrate 170 and adjacent first and second intermixedarray portions 106 a, 106 b.

FIG. 6 shows a pair of charge receiving contacts or charging electrodes184 for charging battery 180 of card 100. Charge receiving contacts 184can be included as in typical smartcard contacts conforming to ISOstandards, but are preferably positioned along card 100 sides to notinterrupt display area, and can also be used to transfer data to andfrom the device, although charging contacts 184 can be arranged inanother manner, for example, somewhere else at the periphery of card100. Power management device 182 receives voltage/current applied tocharge receiving contacts 184 and controls the charging function forbattery 180 and/or conditioning of the power signal used to operate card100. For example, card 100 can be placed into a charging stand (notshown) including a pair of charge transmission electrodes such that eachreceiving electrode contacts a respective charging electrode to chargethe battery. Alternatively, card 100 can include a “contactless” typebattery charging subsystem including a coil or capacitive charging platesuch that card 100 can be placed on a charging surface including acomplementary charging coil or capacitor electrode.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show more details of card 100 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, where FIG. 7A shows aplan view of a portion of first major surface 101 and FIG. 7B shows asectional view taken along lines 7B-7B of FIG. 7A. As shown in FIG. 7B,card 100 includes substantially identical intermixed arrays 106 a and106 b provided in respective multilayer stacks S1 and S2 on oppositefaces or sides of substrate 170. In an embodiment, each multilayer stackS1 and S2 includes plural layered arrays. Multilayer stack S1 includes,starting from the layer closest to substrate 170 and extending“vertically” away from substrate 170 in the “z” direction, lightdetecting layer 186 a, a magnetic-out pixel layer or magnetic-out layer190 a, a magnetic-in pixel layer or magnetic-in layer 192 a, apiezoelectric-in pixel layer or a piezoelectric-in layer 194 a, apiezoelectric-out pixel layer or a piezoelectric-out layer 196 a, and alight emitting pixel layer or a light emitting layer 198 a. Lightemitting layer 198 may include a plurality of LED's 193 as a lightsource. Multilayer stack S2 includes, starting from the layer closest tosubstrate 170, light detecting layer 186 b, a magnetic-out layer 190 b,a magnetic-in layer 192 b, a piezoelectric-in layer 194 b, apiezoelectric-out layer 196 b, and a light emitting layer 198 b. It isto be understood that the substrate 170 and various layers of stacks S1and S2 are not drawn to scale for the sake of explaining the layeredstructure.

Light detecting layer 186 a of multilayer stack S1 includes an array oflight receiving/detecting pixels of light sensitive material and is partof the first light detecting unit 126 described hereinabove. Lightdetecting layer 186 b of multilayer stack S2 includes arrayed lightreceiving/detecting pixels of light sensitive material and is part ofthe second light detecting unit 128 described hereinabove. In anembodiment, the first and second light detecting layers 186 a and 186 bare CCDs, although another light array technology such as CMOS(complementary metal oxide semiconductor) chips, photodiode array (PDA)etc. can be used as a light detecting layer. Light receiving/detectingpixels 148 are arrayed on the surfaces of light detecting layer 186 a,186 b facing away from substrate 170 in correspondence with a pluralityof respective pinhole or light transmitting passages 187 a and 187 b.

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, each light transmitting passage 187 aextends between a light receiving/detecting pixel 148 of the lightdetecting layer 186 a and a hole or pinhole opening 188 a in the uppersurface of the multilayer stack. Each light transmitting passage 187 aand 187 b extends from an exterior surface of the pixel stack to lightdetecting layer 186 a and 186 b, respectively. In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 7B, each light transmitting passage 187 a extendsfrom an exterior surface 191 a into the plurality of pixel layers toterminate at light detecting layer 186 a. Each pinhole opening 188 a andeach associated light transmitting passage 187 a are positioned at“intersections” or corners of pixel stacks, as shown in FIG. 7A. Thus,each light transmitting passage 187 a is positioned at a periphery ofone or more pixel stacks, rather than extending through a pixel stack.This arrangement is similar for pinhole opening 188 b and lighttransmitting passage 187 b. Because of the position, arrangement, andorientation of light transmitting passages 187 a and 187 b, in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 7B, light transmitting passages 187 a areformed in, and extend through, light emitting layer 198 a,piezoelectric-out layer 196 a, piezoelectric-in layer 194 a, magnetic-inlayer 192 a, and magnetic-out layer 190 a, extending from an exterior offirst intermixed array 106 a to terminate or end at a position that isadjacent, on, or next to light detecting layer 186 a. Thus, pinholepassages 187 a and 187 b extend a spaced distance or depth from exteriorsurface 191 a through at least one pixel layer to light detecting layer186 a. Pinhole 188 b and pinhole passage 187 b are similarly formed onthe second side 102 of card 100.

In operation, light incident on surface 101 of transparent first coverstructure 174 a transmits through first cover structure 174 a to eachhole 188 a, which serves as pinhole type orifice allowing the light toenter light transmitting passages 187 a, and the transmitted lighttravels in a direction of arrows 189 a to light receiving/detectingpixel 148 of light detecting layer 186 a. Similarly, light incident onsurface 102 of transparent second cover structure 174 b transmitsthrough second cover structure 174 b to each hole 188 b, which serves aspinhole type orifice that allows the light to enter light transmittingpassages 187 b, and the transmitted light travels in a direction ofarrows 189 b to light receiving/detecting pixels 148 of light detectinglayer 186 b. For each pixel 148 of first light detection layer 186 a andsecond light detection layer 186 b, no material is provided in holes 188a, 188 b and corresponding light transmitting passages 187 a, 187 b,although other transmission media between first cover structure 174 aand first light detection layer 186 a and between second cover structure174 b and second light detection layer 186 b can be used.

It should be apparent from the foregoing discussion that the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 7B that the various pixel layers, and consequentlythe various pixels of the pixel layers, are positioned or located toprovide the benefit of unimpeded operation. Light emitting pixel layers198 a and 198 b are the outermost layers, and light detecting pixellayers 186 a and 186 b are the deepest or innermost pixel layers and arethus spaced a transverse distance from light emitting pixel layers 198 aand 198 b, respectively, meaning that light emitting pixel layers 198 aand 198 b are positioned further from a plane extending throughsubstrate 170 than are light detecting pixel layers 186 a and 186 b. Inthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7B, a plurality of additional pixellayers is positioned between light emitting pixel layers 198 a and 198 band light detecting pixel layers 186 a and 186 b. For example,magnetic-out pixel layer 190 a, magnetic-in pixel layer 192 a,piezoelectric-in pixel layer 194 a, and piezoelectric-out pixel layer196 a are positioned between light detecting pixel layer 186 a and lightemitting pixel layer 198 a. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 7B, piezoelectric-out pixel layer 196 a is positioned betweenpiezoelectric-in pixel layer 194 a and light emitting layer 198 a, andmagnetic-in pixel layer 192 a is positioned between magnetic-out pixellayer 190 a and light emitting pixel layer 198 a. Additionally,piezoelectric-in pixel layer 194 a and piezoelectric-out pixel layer 196a are positioned between magnetic-out pixel layer 190 a and lightemitting layer 198 a.

The light incident upon each light receiving/detecting pixel 148 isconverted to an electrical value by light receiving/detecting pixel 148,representing a gray scale value, i.e., a monochrome input, a colorvalue, e.g., red, green, or blue, or an infrared or ultraviolet value.Processor 110 or other image processor positioned in card 100 reads eachlight receiving/detecting pixel 148 and assembles an image from theindividual pixels. The image may then be processed to remove noise orthrough other analysis techniques to improve the clarity of the image orfor other benefits, such as contrast improvement, color balance, etc.Card 100 may also restrict acquisition of optical data to a specificwavelength, depending on application and user-defined settings. Once theimage has been processed, the image may be analyzed in processor 110 toevaluate the content of the image. For example, the image may present afingerprint, a Kirlian image, a gesture, or a facial expression. In anexemplary embodiment, a user may move card 100 about an object so thatcard 100 may scan the object and process the received images to form athree dimensional representation of the object. In another exemplaryembodiment, card 100 may be positioned in a lens or lens assembly toprovide a larger field of view to holes 188 a and/or 188 b, enablinggathering of more visual information in a manner similar to digitalcameras with one or more analog lenses.

Magnetic-out layer 190 a and magnetic-out layer 190 b respectively formparts of the first magnetic-in unit 132 and the second magnetic-in unit133, and are magnetic field generators that include addressable pixelarrays that can be used to form magnetic fields in patterns, such asthose found on a card magnetic stripe, or to form part of a magnetictransmitter that can communicate with a reading device, such as a cardreader or another card. As described hereinabove, the pixels of thefirst magnetic-out unit 134 and second magnetic-out unit 135 can occupyor be arrayed over an area coinciding in plan view with at leastsubstantially the entire respective major side, face, or surface 101 and102, and can be programmable from which virtual stripes can be derived.Such programmability means that any portion of magnetic-out pixels 109can be programmed, forming shapes other than stripes in any locationavailable on card 100. For security, an embodiment allows for thesevirtual stripes to be programmed (activated) “just in time” when theuser is present at a POS reader and deprogrammed and deactivated “justafter use.” In an embodiment, virtual stripes can be created based ongestural or other information associated with movement of card 100. Forexample, when swiping card 100 through a POS or other reader, the usercan be holding card 100 in such a way that it is at an angle unreadableby the reader. Card 100 can learn and determine patterns associated withswiping and determine the orientation of card 100 when swiping isinitiated. Card 100 can be configured to use preferences to match themagnetic stripe data to the virtual card displayed. For example, usercan select a specific virtual card from among plural virtual cards foruse and the magnetic data out is automatically matched with the accountassociated with the selected virtual card. Before advancing through thesensors of the reader, card 100 can create, “just in time,” a stripe ata location across the portion of the surface of card 100 that isreadable by the reader, and then deprogram the strip (or reposition tothe standard location), “just after use.” In this way, the reader willencounter less unsuccessful card swipes and the user less complicationswith card 100 use.

Card 100 may also include the ability to automatically increase powerlevels during a swipe to increase the assurance of magnetic datacommunication. For example, during a single swipe operation, which maybe a static swipe or a dynamic swipe (i.e., a fixed location with dataprogrammed just in time or moving card 100 through a reader), card 100may provide a plurality of power levels for magnetic-out data providedby magnetic-out pixels 109. Such data may also be providedbi-directionally so that any orientation of card 100 may be used tointerface with a magnetic reader. The value of having a plurality ofmagnetic-out power levels is to interface with legacy card readershaving varying levels of sensitivity. Magnetic read heads vary in theirability to read magnetic data. Some read heads are relatively sensitiveand others, particularly read heads that have been in long use, arerelatively insensitive, and the varying power levels provide an improvedopportunity to assure data transmission.

Magnetic-in layer 192 a and magnetic-in layer 192 b respectively formparts of the first magnetic-in unit 132 and the second magnetic-in unit133, and include addressable pixel arrays that can be used to sense amagnetic field to which the corresponding card major surface 101, 102 issubjected to. Magnetic-in layer 192 a and magnetic-in layer 192 b can beformed from any suitable magnetic sensitive layer that can be formed asa thin film, such as a composite magnetostrictive and piezoelectricmaterial exhibiting a magnetoelectric effect. Such materials includesilicon or silicon dioxide crystals, including doped silicon crystals,and titanium dioxide crystals.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7B, various pixels, which may bereferred to as pixel elements, are arranged and configured in avertically extending pixel stack 98, which in the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 7B is directly overlapping, which means that the position of thepixel elements in pixel stack 98 are substantially coinciding in anx-direction and a y-direction in a plan view of pixel stack 98. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 7B, each pixel stack 98 includes, from theoutermost or shallowest pixel element to the deepest or innermost pixelelement, light emitting pixel element 107, piezoelectric-out pixelelement 113, piezoelectric-in pixel element 111, magnetic-in pixelelement 150, magnetic-out pixel element 109, and light detecting pixelelement 148. Each pixel element is selectively and independentlycontrollable, having at least an on or active state or mode and an offor inactive state or mode. Some pixel elements, such aspiezoelectric-out pixel element 113, have a controllable intensity. Somepixel elements, such as light detecting pixel elements 148, may have acontrollable sensitivity.

Piezoelectric-in layer 194 a and piezoelectric-out layer 196 a formparts of first micro-speaker pixel array 138, and piezoelectric-in layer194 b and piezoelectric-out layer 196 b form parts of secondmicro-speaker pixel array 140. By using different materials for themicrophone and speaker, the speaker and microphone can each be biaseddifferently and operated in full duplex mode (simultaneously) usingdigital signal processing techniques such as echo and noisecancellation. Further, algorithms for the pixel arrays ofpiezoelectric-in layers 194 a, 194 b allow for virtual microphones thatcan steer individual lobes of the microphone's virtual polar patternstowards a particular source, for example, a source location identifiedvia light receiving/detecting pixels 148 of light detecting layer 186 aor 186 b. In another embodiment, a single layer of piezoelectricmaterial can form piezoelectric-in/out pixels 111/113, providing thefunction of the microphone and the speaker in half-duplex mode. Inanother embodiment, the pixels of piezoelectric-out layers 196 a and 196b can provide haptic feedback to specific areas of card 100 in responseto a corresponding manipulation of card 100 by the user or to otherwisealert the user to an event, communication, end of some processing etc.

In embodiments of card 100 having piezoelectric pixels or devices on oneor both major surfaces of card 100, card 100 can act as a microphone andas a speaker throughout one or both surfaces of card 100. This specificcapability can provide a variety of sound emission and collectionapplications, such as emulating a cell phone for purpose of calling orreceiving a call, creating sound, collecting voice for use as abiometric element (such as logging with voice recognition), and soundingalerts or alarms. However, with the conformation of a card, the powerand fidelity of the emissions and collection can be limited in its useto some extent due to power limitations and the flatness of the surface.Placement of two cards 100 in stable, close proximity can still usesound as one of the means of handshake and data passage. Due to thepiezoelectric devices being disbursed as pixels 111 and 113, just aslight emitting pixel elements 107 (e.g., LEDs) and lightreceiving/detection elements 148 (e.g., CCD elements) are distributed,the sound emitted and collected by piezoelectric-in pixels 111 andpiezoelectric-out pixels 113 can include many sounds, emissions, andcollections that can act as Trojan communications, safely guarding theone or few emissions and collections that provide real or actualcommunications. As used herein, “Trojan” means false and not used at thereceiving end. This dynamic forms a data transfer method that, whilerelatively slow, can emulate a conventional audio modem function and canadd a dynamic for communication between two cards 100, a plurality ofcards 100, or one card 100 communicating with another machine equippedwith card 100 or equipped with elements of card 100 as an integratedelement of the machine. Further, as with light emitter pixels 107 (e.g.,LED) and light receiving/detection pixels 148 (e.g., CCD elements),piezoelectric pixel elements 111 and 113 can be controlled as an array,such as a phase array allowing for directivity.

The pixels of piezoelectric-in layer 194 a and piezoelectric-in layer194 b can also be configured to sense biometric data, such as pressurefluctuations indicative of a pulse (heart rate) from a finger touching amajor surface of card 100.

Light emitting layer 198 a and light emitting layer 198 b respectivelyform parts of first light emitting unit 122 and second light emittingunit 124 and include independently addressable light emitting elementsor pixels 107 (e.g., LED, OLED, LCD etc.). While not shown, first lightemitting unit 122 and second light emitting unit 124 can include one ormore controllers, image processors, and driver modules that processdecoded video data from video decoder 120 and display the decoded andprocessed data on the first and/or second major sides, faces, orsurfaces of card 100.

While not shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and in other embodiments describedherein, each of the pixels of magnetic-out layer 190 a, magnetic-outlayer 190 b, magnetic-in layer 192 a, magnetic-in layer 192 b,piezoelectric-in layer 194 a, piezoelectric-in layer 194 b, andpiezoelectric-out layer 196 a, piezoelectric-out layer 196 b, lightemitting layer 198 a, and light emitting layer 198 b includes electrodepairs, each electrode connected to row and column electrodes that canindividually and/or independently, address or control a particular pixeland/or pixel species for sensing and/or emission. Such control caninclude a pixel address or position in the array of independent pixelelements, an on state, an off state, a sensitivity, an intensity orlevel of emission or output, time of operation, etc. Other individualpixel elements described herein, such as RFID antennas or receivers, aresimilarly addressable and controllable. The electrodes of pixel elementscan be transparent, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) or thin layersof metals such as silver, to allow light transmission therethrough.Additionally, while the figures do not show interlayer insulators, suchlayers would be present between layers of the stack where needed forelectrical insulation and isolation, for example between adjacentlystacked column/row lines in the stacks S1 and S2. Because the variouspixel elements described herein are produced of materials that provideminimal attenuation of light and/or are sufficiently thin that theyprovide minimal attenuation of light, and therefore are substantiallytransparent, light emitting and/or detecting pixel elements may bepositioned behind or below other pixel elements in the z-direction withminimal effect on performance. If light attenuation through a stack ofpixel elements, which permit light to pass therethrough, is unacceptablyhigh, a light emitting pixel and/or a light receiving pixel element maybe moved or positioned higher in a pixel stack, i.e., further from thesubstrate in the z-direction transverse to a plane of the pixel layer.Alternatively, pinhole passages may provide a path for light to reachdeeper pixel elements that are closer to the substrate.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate one advantage of the stacking of pixelelements along a z-direction to form the pixel stack. The embodiments ofthe present disclosure provide the highest possible density of detectingand transmitting elements per unit surface area, much higher thanpreviously known technology. In one embodiment disclosed herein, becauseeach side or face of card 100 includes pixel stacks and pixel layers,fourteen functions, which include a plurality of technologies, exist ina single plan view location in card 100, i.e., a location defined by anx-position and a y-position, with seven functions per side; e.g., seeFIG. 9D and FIG. 9E.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of an embodiment of a card 100 a. FIG. 8Ashows a plan view of a portion of first major surface 101 and FIG. 8Bshows a sectional view taken along 8B-8B of FIG. 8A. Differences betweencard 100 a and card 100 shown include a plurality of light transmittingor pinhole passages 387 a and 387 b, provided by way of a plurality ofrespective perforations or holes 388 a and 388 b formed into an array ina first light emitting layer 398 a and a second light emitting layer 398b. Light transmitting passages 387 a and 387 b have a length or depththat is greater than the length or depth of light transmitting passages188 a and 88 b because of the position of first light emitting layer 398a and second light emitting layer 398 b in a first intermixed array 390a and a second intermixed array 390 b. Additionally, because a firstlight detecting layer 386 a is formed at a level in a stack S2′ closerto second cover structure 174 b and on a side of a second lightdetection unit 386 b facing a substrate 370, and second light detectinglayer 386 b is formed at a level in a stack S1′ closer to the firstcover structure 174 a and on a side of second light detection unit 386 afacing substrate 370, the density of light receiving/detecting pixels148 on each face of substrate 370 is less than the embodiment of FIGS.7A and 7B. Also, the positions or arrangements of holes 388 a and 388 bformed in light emitting layers 398 a and 398 b, respectively, aredifferent from the hole positions/arrangements of light emitting layer198 a and light emitting layer 198 b of card 100 shown in FIGS. 7A and7B.

In operation, light incident on surface 101 of transparent first coverstructure 174 a transmits through first cover structure 174 a to eachhole 388 a, which serves as a pinhole type orifice allowing the light toenter light transmitting passages 387 a, and the transmitted lighttravels in a direction of arrows 389 a to a light receiving/detectingpixel 148 of first light detecting layer 386 a. Similarly, lightincident on surface 102 of transparent second cover structure 174 btransmits through second cover structure 174 b to each hole 388 b, whichserves as a pinhole type orifice that allows the light to enter lighttransmitting passages 387 b, and the transmitted light travels in adirection of arrows 389 b to a light receiving/detecting pixel 148 oflight detecting layer 386 b. The interior of each light transmittingpassage 387 a and 387 b, as well as light transmitting passage 187 a and187 b and other light transmitting or pinhole passages described herein,may be coated with a suitable material to reduce or eliminatereflections from the walls of light transmitting passage 387 a and 387b, which can lead to blurry imaging due to off-axis light incident oneach hole, opening, or aperture 388 a and 388 b.

Light transmitting passages 387 a, 387 b through substrate 370 requiredistributing the elements of the plurality of electronic components anddevices used to operate card 100 a in a manner so as to accommodate thearray of perforations or holes 388 a and 388 b. Some or all elements canbe distributed between perforations 388 a and 388 b and/or the variouselectronic devices can be designed to include the passages. Lighttransmitting passages 387 a and 387 b enable a novel capability in thecredit card form factor. Because perforations 388 a and 388 b are denseon first major surface 101 and second major surface 102, and because ofthe presence of light transmitting passages 387 a and 387 b, whicheffectively become pinhole passages, light detecting pixel elements 148are able to be positioned behind other elements that are eitherpartially or completely opaque, while providing imaging capability tocard 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 7B, light detecting pixel elements148, which form light detecting layer 186, are “behind” a stack ofpixels formed at row and column intersections that are co-positioned tooverlap or overlay each other in plan view. More specifically, the stackof overlapping and overlaid pixels, which may also be described as beingat least partially transversely and longitudinally co-located,co-positioned, or superimposed in a plan view, can include lightemitting pixel element 107 of light emitting layer 198 a or 198 b,piezoelectric-out pixel 113 of piezoelectric-out layer 196 a or 196 b,piezoelectric-in pixel 111 of piezoelectric-in layer 194 a or 194 b,magnetic-in pixel 150 of magnetic-in layer 192, and magnetic-out pixel109 of magnetic-out layer 190 a or 190 b, in the order described, fromthe outermost or furthest layer from light detecting layer 186 a or 186b to the innermost or closest layer to light detecting layer 186 a or186 b.

While overlapping appears when in a direction that is perpendicular tofirst major surface 101 and second major surface 102, i.e., in a planview to first major surface 101 and second major surface 102, each pixelneed not completely cover a pixel “below” it, or a pixel that is furtherfrom substrate 170 than another pixel in the same column or stack neednot completely cover a pixel that is closer to substrate 170.Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment each pixel in an upper layer maybe somewhat offset, staggered, or skewed from a pixel below or nearer tosubstrate 170 the pixel in the upper layer. Such offsets may be due tomanufacturing accuracy, or to provide a more direct path from aparticular pixel to either first cover structure 174 a or second coverstructure 174 b. In an exemplary embodiment, a stack of adjacent pixelsmay appear as a pyramid when viewed from a side or edge of card 100,with each pixel outward from substrate 170 being smaller than a pixelcloser to substrate 170. In another exemplary embodiment, each adjacentpixel is approximately the same size, and the stack of pixels appears toform a tower as the pixel stack extends outwardly from substrate 170. Inyet another embodiment, each adjacent pixel in a stack or columnincreases in size with distance from substrate 170, appearing to have aslightly inverted pyramidal shape. In a further exemplary embodiment,the width and length of a pixel stack in the x-direction and they-direction is defined by the largest pixel element in the pixel stack.It should be apparent that the pixel stack extends in a direction thatis perpendicular to substrate 170, and thus the pixel stacks extend“vertically” away from substrate 170 to form a three-dimensional pixelarray, with pixels forming rows and columns, i.e., a two dimensionalpixel array when viewed in a plan view with respect to card 100, andpixel stacks 98 extend away from card 100.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, various pixels and/orpixel elements are arranged and configured in a vertically extendingpixel stack 378. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8B, each pixelstack 378 includes, from the outermost or shallowest pixel element tothe deepest or innermost pixel element, light emitting pixel element107, light detecting pixel element 148 for the opposite surface,piezoelectric-out pixel element 113, piezoelectric-in pixel element 111,magnetic-in pixel element 150, magnetic-out pixel element 109, followedby substrate 370. The light detecting pixel element 148 for a pixelstack is located on the opposite side, face or surface of card 100 a forany particular pixel stack 378. Using “a” and “b” for the various pixelelements of FIG. 8 b , the configuration of pixel stacks 378 on oppositesides of substrate 378 are as follows:

Light Emitting Pixel Element 107 a

Light Detecting Pixel Element 148 b

Piezoelectric-Out Pixel Element 113 a

Piezoelectric-In Pixel Element 111 a

Magnetic-In Pixel Element 150 a

Magnetic-Out Pixel element 109 a

Substrate-Substrate-Substrate (370)

Magnetic-Out Pixel element 109 b

Magnetic-Out Pixel element 109 b

Piezoelectric-In Pixel Element 111 b

Piezoelectric-Out Pixel Element 113 b

Light Detecting Pixel Element 148 a

Light Emitting Pixel Element 107 b

Light transmitting or pinhole passages 387 a, for example, then extendsthrough each pixel element of a first pixel stack 378, through substrate370, and then through a second pixel stack 378 positioned on theopposite side of substrate 370 from the first pixel stack 378. Thus,light transmitting or pinhole passages 387 a and 387 b, because theytraverse or extend through more pixel elements or pixel layers ascompared with the embodiment of FIG. 7B, provides improved collimationof light, and reduced blur or defocus because light transmittingpassages 387 a and 387 b are much longer than light transmittingpassages 87 a and 87 b. As described herein, each pixel element of pixelstack 378 is selectively and independently controllable, having at leastan on or active state or mode and an off or inactive state or mode, andcontains all controllability features of pixel stack 98.

It is to be understood that the ordering of the layers of each stack S1,S2, S1′, and S2′ can be different than what is depicted in FIGS. 7A to8B. Further, embodiments according to the present disclosure may includemore or less layers on each side of substrates 170, 370 than what isdepicted, but at least include a light receiving/detecting layer and alight emitting layer on each side of substrate 170, 370. Furthermore,the light emitting and light receiving/detecting units can be positionedon a same layer or level in each stack S1, S2, S1′, and S2′, but in suchan embodiment it is preferable to multiplex the light emitting anddetection functions to reduce noise/interference among the lightdetecting elements. In an exemplary embodiment, light emitting pixelelements 107 are operated during a first time interval. During the firsttime interval, light detecting pixel elements 148 are turned off toprevent noise and interference from the light being emitted by lightemitting pixel elements 107. As light emitting pixel elements 107 areturned off, light detecting pixel elements 148 may be operated to gatherlight without the interference of light emitting pixel elements 107.Such multiplexing, timing, or clocking of light emitting pixel elements107 and light detecting pixel elements 148 reduces or prevents bloomingor saturation of light detecting pixel elements 148. More generally,card 100 is designed to avoid crosstalk or interference between variouspixel elements, both by physical position, described herein, and bymultiplexing, clocking, or timing. For example, magnetic-out pixels 109are timed to operate to avoid interference with magnetic-in pixels 150.

In some embodiments, the piezoelectric-in and piezoelectric-out layersbenefit from being positioned “higher” in a pixel stack; i.e., furtherfrom the substrate and close to an exterior surface of the pixel stack,because piezoelectric elements receive and transmit movement, sound,and/or vibrations, making it easier for a user to detect the movement,sound, and vibrations as well as making it easier for the piezoelectricelements to receive the movement, sound, and vibrations. The deeperpiezoelectric pixel elements are positioned in a pixel stack, the moresignals traveling to and from the piezoelectric pixel elements areattenuated as the signals pass through intervening layers or pixelelements. Pinhole passages can alleviate some of the signal attenuationby providing a more direct path from an exterior of an intermixed arrayto piezoelectric elements that are deeper in a pixel stack than otherpixel elements.

Magnetic-in and magnetic-out pixel elements are minimally affected byintervening pixel layers or pixel elements. Because such pixel elementshave little or no effect on other pixel elements in the pixel stack,magnetic-related pixel elements can be positioned deeper in a pixelstack; i.e., magnetic-in and magnetic-out pixel elements can bepositioned closer to the substrate than other pixel elements, ifbeneficial to the overall design of a pixel stack.

In yet another exemplary embodiment each light detecting pixel element148 and each light emitting pixel element 107 may be operated as asingle semiconductor junction that can both collect and emit light,depending on the voltage and polarity of the voltage applied to thesemiconductor junction. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment both the lightemitting layer and the light detecting layer may be the same layer. Ofcourse, when the same semiconductor junction is operated in twodifferent modes, the ability to provide light in a first, light emittingmode for detection in a second, light receiving mode is more challengingthan when each layer is separately configured and operated.

The multiplexing, clocking, or timing of the operation of the variousindividual pixels of card 100 can be conducted in a way that permitsmixed mode operation of the pixels. For example, in a datacommunication, card 100 via a module and/or a processor, such asprocessor 110, may initially operate light emitting pixel elements 107,followed by magnetic-out pixels 109, then light emitting pixel elements107, followed by piezoelectric-out pixels 113. Of course, anycombination of operations are possible, and if a receiving device“knows” a particular data sequence is associated with a particular user,via a password, biometric entry, voice recognition, or the like, thensecurity of data transmission from card 100 to a receiver is enhancedwith a reduced likelihood of interception.

Additionally, FIGS. 7A to 8B show exemplary diagrams indicating only theorder of elements, not necessarily the sizing or shape and not intendingto be limiting as to that which one of skill in laying out anddesigning, for example, in very, very, large scale integration (VVLSI),could permutate in accordance with the features and other descriptionsof the present disclosure. Also, it is to be noted that use of thethickness of card 100 for development of depth for light collectingelements, allowing for pin hole lens effects limits light to that whichapproaches card 100 at a near perfect right angle, limiting detectedlight to light that is directly in front of the hole, and to light thatis reflected from an object into the hole (possibly sourced to the LEDoutput of card 100, providing self-illumination of an object).

FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate pixel stack arrangements or configurations inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of a pixel stack 780 including anoutput or transmission pixel element 782 and an input or receiving pixelelement 784 positioned on a substrate 788. A benefit to the pixel stackconfiguration is the ability to configure an output pixel element 782 inan overlapping configuration in a direction that is away from orperpendicular to substrate 788, providing emission and detectionfunctions in a compact arrangement or configuration. Pixel stack 780 maybe covered by a film or cover layer 786, and film or cover layer 786 mayinclude a plurality of pinhole openings 790, each of which opens on apinhole passage 792. In the embodiment of pixel stack 780 shown in FIG.9A, each pinhole passage 792 is formed partially in film or cover layer786 and partially in output or transmission pixel element 782, andextends in the z-direction. In another embodiment, pinhole openings 790and associated pinhole passages 792, which are shown formed in a cornerof pixel stack 780, may be positioned away from a periphery of pixelstack 780, and may be positioned at or near a center of pixel stack 780when viewed in a plan view along the z-direction. In another embodiment,a single pinhole opening and passage may be positioned at or near thecenter of a pixel stack, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 9D. Theadvantage to this configuration is the ability to collimate receivedlight through each pinhole passage 792, which improves the ability tocreate images from the light received by a plurality of pinhole passages792.

Additional pixel elements can be added to pixel stack 780 of FIG. 9A.For example, FIG. 9B illustrates a perspective view of pixel stack 98 ofFIGS. 7A and 7B. As described herein, pixel stack 98 includes aplurality of pixel elements formed or positioned on substrate 170. Pixelelements can include light detecting pixel element 148 positionedadjacent to substrate 170. Positioned a spaced distance away from lightdetecting pixel element 148 is light emitting pixel element 107.Positioned between light detecting pixel element 148 and light emittingpixel element 107 are a plurality of pixel elements. In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 7B, the plurality of pixel elements includesmagnetic-out pixel element 109, magnetic-in pixel element 150,piezoelectric-in pixel element 111, and piezoelectric-out pixel element113. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7B, the plurality of pixelelements is positioned to create a stack that extends outwardly awayfrom substrate 170, which is in a z-direction, in the order described.All the pixel elements in pixel stack 98 are in an overlappingarrangement in the z-direction. Pinhole opening 188 a is formed in lightemitting pixel element 197 in a corner of light emitting pixel element107, and pinhole passage 187 a is formed in a corner of magnetic-outpixel element 109, magnetic-in pixel element 150, piezoelectric-in pixelelement 111, and piezoelectric-out pixel element 113, extending in thez-direction. Pinhole passage 188 a provides a path for light to reachlight detecting pixel element 148 without traversing outer pixelelements of pixel stack 98. In an exemplary embodiment, a light-blockinglayer (not shown) may be positioned between an outer surface of lightemitting pixel element 107 and an upper surface of light detecting pixelelement 148 to limit light received by light detecting pixel element tolight that travels through pinhole opening 188 a and pinhole passage 187a, which improves collimation of light and provides an improvement in animage created from a plurality of light detecting pixel elements 148. Inan alternative embodiment, an intervening pixel layer may be configuredto block light instead of having a separate layer block light. In anexemplary embodiment, pinhole passage 187 a may be coated with amaterial that reduces reflection to decrease off-axis light rays fromreaching light detecting pixel element 148.

FIG. 9C illustrates a perspective view of pixel stack 378 of FIGS. 8Aand 8B. As described herein, pixel stack 378 includes a plurality ofpixel elements formed or positioned on substrate 370 in an overlappingarrangement or configuration that extends in the z-direction. Pixelelements include light emitting pixel element 107 positioned a spaceddistance from substrate 370, and light detecting pixel element 148positioned between light emitting pixel element 107 and substrate 370,also a spaced distance from substrate 370. Each pixel stack furtherincludes a plurality of pixel elements 380 positioned between lightdetecting pixel element 148 and substrate 370. In the embodiment of FIG.9 c , identical pixel stacks 378 are positioned on opposite sides ofsubstrate 370, such that pinhole passage 387 a, which is positioned in acorner of pixel stack 378, extends through all the pixel elements ofpixel stack 378 on an upper or top side of substrate 370, throughsubstrate 370, and extends through pixel element 380 of pixel stack 378on a lower or bottom side of substrate 370, terminating at lightdetecting pixel element 148. Similarly, pinhole passage 387 b, which ispositioned in an opposite corner of pixel stack 378 from pinhole passage387 a, extends through all the pixel elements of pixel stack 378 on thelower or bottom side of substrate 370, through substrate 370, andextends through pixel element 380 of pixel stack 378 on the upper or topside of substrate 370, terminating at light detecting pixel element 148.The plurality of pixel elements 380 may include the pixel elementsdescribed in FIG. 8B, or may include other pixel elements, as long asthe operation of the various pixel elements do not interfere with eachother. The advantage to pixel stack 378 is that the length of pinholepassage 388 a and pinhole passage 38 b is relatively long as compared toother pinhole passages described herein, which improves image qualitythrough the plurality of pinholes 388 a.

FIG. 9D shows a pixel stack or column in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure, generally indicated at 800, whichis different from the pixel stack and pixel layer configurations ofFIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B. A plurality of pixel stacks 800 are formed andarrayed on a substrate 804 and may be arrayed on a first side and asecond opposite side of substrate 804, and includes a plurality of pixelelement layers 802. Beginning with the pixel closest to substrate 804,layers 802 includes a monochrome light source or emitter pixel element806, a light detection pixel element 808, a primary light emitting pixelelement 810, which may include red, blue and green elements, amagnetic-out pixel element 812, a magnetic-in pixel element 814, apiezoelectric-in pixel element 816, a piezoelectric-out pixel element818, and a flexible polymer layer 820. Polymer layer 820 may betransparent in an exemplary embodiment, or it may block and/or absorblight in another exemplary embodiment, depending on whether light needsto be received or transmitted through polymer layer 820. Polymer layer820 includes a vertically-extending pinhole passage 822, i.e., pinholepassage 822 extends perpendicularly or orthogonally to substrate 804,that opens on an exterior surface of polymer layer 820 as a pinholeopening 824.

Pinhole opening 824 and pinhole passage 822 are positioned away from anedge of pixel stack 800, and may be centrally located in pixel stack800. A layer of resist material 826 is positioned between polymer layer820 and piezoelectric-out layer 818 to block light transmission exceptthrough an opening or gap 828 in resist material 826 that permits thetransmission of light from monochrome pixel element 806 and/or primarylight emitting pixel element 808, shown by arrows 830, or for thereception of light, shown by arrows 832. Received light transmitsthrough transparent pixel elements 818, 816, 814, 812, and 810 to bereceived by light detecting pixel element 808. Opening or space 828 ispositioned to align with and, in the exemplary embodiment, is sized tomatch, pinhole passage 822 and/or pinhole opening 824. In an alternativeembodiment, pinhole passage 822 may extend through at least pixelelements 818, 816, 814, and 812 to open at light emitting layer 810. Inan exemplary embodiment, the sound generated by piezoelectric-out pixelelement 818 may transmit through pinhole passage 822. However, it mayexit additional pinholes (not shown) arranged to provide additionallocations for sound to exit card 100 to increase the amplitude of soundenergy emitted by card 100. The configuration of FIG. 9D provides theability to generate either monochrome light or multi-frequency, e.g.,color, from pixel stack 800. In an exemplary embodiment, primary lightemitting pixel element 810 may be eliminated, and pixel stack 800 mayemit monochrome light only. The light emitted by monochrome light source806 is highly coherent, which is an attribute of lasers, and thiscoherent light may be used to benefit in certain applications. Thus,pixel stack 800, which may form the pixel stacks or columns on card 100,provides advantages over the pixel layers and configurations previouslydescribed. While not shown in FIG. 9D, substrate 804 may be reflectiveto direct light emitted by light emitting pixel 806 in a downwarddirection toward substrate 804 to be reflected upwardly away fromsubstrate 804. Alternatively, a reflective layer may be positionedbetween substrate 804 and light emitting pixel element 806.

FIG. 9E shows a plurality of pixel stacks 870 including a plurality ofpixel elements in an overlapping relationship extending in thez-direction. Each pixel stack includes at least one transmission pixelelement or receiving pixel element, and at least one receiving pixelelement or transmission pixel element that is offset, staggered, orskewed in at least one of an x-direction and a y-direction from the atleast one transmission pixel element. Such an orientation of pixelelements may be described as a staggered overlap, or staggeroverlapping. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9E,monochrome light emitting pixel element 806 is offset in the x-directionand the y-direction from light emitting pixel element 810. Furthermore,in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9E, light emitting pixel element 806and light detection pixel element 808 are offset in an x-direction and ay-direction from the other pixel elements of pixel stack 870, whichincludes magnetic-out pixel element 812, magnetic-in pixel element 814,piezoelectric-in pixel element 816, piezoelectric-out pixel element 818,and light emitting pixel element 810. The advantage to the configurationof FIG. 9E is that the position of pinhole passages 822 is in thecorners of pixel elements 810, 818, 816, 814, and 812, minimizinginterference with those pixel elements. Each pinhole passage 822 openson light detecting pixel element 808, and provides a path for lighttransmission and reception for light emitting pixel element 806 andlight detecting pixel element 808, respectively, providing improvedcollimation of light detected by light detecting pixel element 808 andprovides for collimated light from light emitting pixel element 806.While not shown in FIG. 9E, substrate 804 may be reflective to directlight emitted by light emitting pixel 806 in a downward direction towardsubstrate 804 to be reflected upwardly away from substrate 804, or areflective layer may be positioned between substrate 804 and lightemitting pixel element 806.

The above description of layouts of components of card 100 is not to betaken as limiting. The idea is to lay out light emission components(which are near the major surfaces and only covered with clear film orother clear surfaces allowing light to escape and to be received), lightcollection components that require line of sight to the external portionof card 100, pinhole or tunnel structures, etc. that, if lightabsorbing, assure the light collecting pixels receive light that comessubstantially perpendicular to the surface and limiting the light thatcan enter so memory gathers light data collected from the array whichcan form a reliable image of what is up close to card 100. Magnetic andpiezoelectric elements for magnetic-in and magnetic-out functionalityand aural functionality are strategically placed for maximum effect. Thesound producing and sound receiving piezoelectric elements may need lineof sight access to the surface. The magnetic elements do not need lineof sight access to the surface and can be buried by components andnonmagnetic layers.

For embodiments including a pinhole passage to access pixel layers orpixel elements deeper than other pixel layers and elements, e.g., FIG.7B, and FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9E, the location where the pinhole terminates,forms a light detecting pixel element, a portion of which is shown in,for example, FIGS. 9A-9C. In the embodiment of FIG. 9E, pinhole passage822 extends through a plurality of pixel elements, terminating at lightdetecting pixel element 808. The patterns of the pixel elements throughwhich pinhole passage 822 extends, which are adjacent to pinhole passage822 in the embodiment of FIG. 9E, for example, light emitting pixelelement 810, piezoelectric-out pixel element 818, piezoelectric-in pixelelement 816, magnetic-in pixel element 814, and magnetic-out pixelelement 812, are patterned and arranged with respect to pinhole passage822 to provide for optimal operation of each of the pixel elements.Additionally, controllable active areas, control electrode patterns orgeometry that define activated or actuated areas of pixel elementsdescribed herein can be staggered, offset, or skewed, i.e., positionedin an x-direction and a y-direction, with respect to the pinholepassages described herein to provide for optimal configurations andarrangements, i.e., the geometry, of the controllable active areas.Regardless of the positions of the various portions of a pixel element,any layer that includes a portion of a pinhole passage will have thecontrollable active areas or control electrode patterns geometricallyarranged relative to the position of the pinhole passage, if such apassage exists.

Other components can be added, which emit energy or collect energy,e.g., solar or quantum dots or wells, such that the surface designbecomes more and more dynamic over time. Quantum dots emit coherentlight and function as solar cells by collecting light. Some types ofenergy must have line of sight for reliable reception, and other energycan be buried in the substructure. Burying in the layers any and allelectronics that are layered at present can include, but is not limitedto power distribution, data distribution, signal lines, ground, battery,processing, memory, adaptors such as network adaptors, and essentiallyany and all electronics which can be cognizably embedded into a creditcard form factor. For form factors other than the credit card, presumingthey are larger in any dimension, particularly in thickness,possibilities expand as to what will fit within the form factor's powerand size limitations. For any form factor that is smaller, particularlyin thickness, some considerations change; however, the concepts of thedisclosure remain. It is anticipated that the hereinabove describedpixels are likely to evolve with time and such evolution can providefurther reduction in the size of the pixels to minimize stackdimensions, which potentially provides more space for either a higherdensity of pixels, or for other types of pixels, such as quantum orsolar wells or dots.

Electrically, each layer of card 100 may either be insulated fromadjacent layers by addition of an insulating layer (not shown), whichare optically transparent, or adjacent layers of card 100 may shareelectrical connections. For example, two adjacent layers may share asingle ground plane and/or two adjacent layers may share a voltagesource. These configurations reduce the cost of producing card 100.Other electrical connection configurations may also be provided tosupply voltage and to provide a ground to each of the pixels of card100. For example, electrical connections may extend in a direction thatis perpendicular to substrate 170.

The sensitivity of the pixels described in this disclosure may alsovary, based on cost, availability of power, size, etc. Pixels havinghigh sensitivity, such as magnetic-in pixels 150, enable higherresolution of imaging, and higher sensitivity can improve othercapabilities, such as accuracy of tracking calculations. While higherresolution once equated to higher power, new technologies, for exampleLED's, enable high resolution displays while using lower power than manycompeting technologies. Card 100 is configured to make use of currentlyavailable technologies as well as being adaptable to newer technologiesthat provide improved efficiency, lower cost, and require less energy tooperate.

Embodiments of card 100 according to the present disclosure allow forsharing or swapping of data by way of stacking cards in a holder orstacking cards 100 directly on top of one another (e.g., during a swapmode function of cards 100). The ability to stack cards 100 directly ontop of each other with no or zero clearance between cards 100 ispossible because of the stacked or columnar nature of the various pixellayers such that transmission pixels and reception pixels can besufficiently aligned for reliable data transmission between variousemitting or out pixels and various receiving pixels. Because of thisability, any data a “master” card 100 (i.e., the card sending data)wishes to share can be distributed to stacked “slave” receiving cards100. Plural cards 100 can thus be loaded with data, such asinstructions, plans, social net contents, entertainment items oressentially any data the master card 100 in a given transaction wishesto share. Applications development for data sharing in this mode willvery likely make the process of data movement more secure and less timeconsuming. Card 100 can transfer data more rapidly from its surfacesthan through its network connections because each emitting pixel, suchas light emitting pixel element 107, can transmit data to a respectivelight detecting pixel element 148, providing a plurality of datatransmission and reception paths. For example, card-to-card datatransfer configurations can transfer in the 1,000 GBPS speed, or 10 to100 times greater than this speed, while networks cannot, at present,transfer at this massive rate of speed.

The dual-side function of card 100 allows stacking cards in any mannerbecause cards 100 can be configured to recognize which major face 101 or102 of stacked cards 100 are facing one another, handshake or establishcommunication, and begin inter-card communication. A dual-side functionof card 100 can include a mode for performing data transfer among pluralstacked cards 100. For example, one or more cards 100 in a card stackcould translate data, and thus assure compatible data is received by allcards 100 in a stack data transfer. In a method of encrypting anddecrypting data reliably, cards 100 could each share a portion of data,wherein, only when the right cards 100 are stacked (even limited to theright moment in time) will they combine their data contents and yield afunctional data set, representing the decrypted data intended to betransferred. By using data stored in servers, and carrying pointers tothe data, the amount of data that can be reliably moved by card 100using this method becomes unlimited and security becomes exponentiallysuperior to any other method of data transfer known to the Applicant.

In a levitation embodiment, card 100 can include magnetic elements thatlevitate and position a first card stacked over a second card. Thesecards operate independently of a physical dock. For instance, passivefixed magnets can be embedded in the core area of card 100, for example,in substrate 170 or 370 described hereinabove, at positions that willstably levitate two cards 100 and not interfere with a card reader'sability to read stripe data. While in a levitated state, at least onepixel of one of first or second light emitting units 122, 124 on a firstcard 100 are aligned with facing pixels of one of first and second lightdetection units 126, 128 on a second card 100, and at least one pixel ofone of first and second light detection units 126, 128 on first card 100are aligned with facing pixels of one of first and second light emittingunits 122, 124 on second card 100. In an exemplary embodiment, thealignment of the above-described facing light receiving/detecting pixels148 and light emitting pixels 107 can be carried out in a predeterminedand secure way.

In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 can include plural currentcontrolled electromagnets (not shown) and the levitation/positioningcontroller unit, or Mag Lev unit 147 can be configured to set currentfor each of the electromagnets to allow other similarly equipped cardsto levitate over one another. Mag Lev unit 147 may be controlled by adedicated Mag Lev controller (not shown), by processor 110, or by aprocessor that is integral to Mag Lev unit 147. FIGS. 10A-10B show anexample of a card 100 c including the levitation function, and which canotherwise have any of the card structure disclosed herein. As shown inFIG. 10A, card 100 c has a plurality of individual electromagnets910-926 embedded in a central area or core of card 100 c, for example,embedded in substrate 170 or 370 described hereinabove. Eachelectromagnet 910-926 includes a coil in which current can becontrolled, for example, by Mag Lev unit 147, to emit a magnetic fieldstrength corresponding to the controlled current value. Some or allelectromagnets 910-926 can be reversible-pole electromagnets such that apolarity of the electromagnet changes according to whether a positive ornegative current is applied to the coil of the electromagnet.

Each electromagnet 910-926 is electrically connected to a levitationcontrol circuit (not shown), which can be part of data exchange unit 146shown in FIG. 2 , and which can be integrated into card processor 110.FIG. 10B shows card 100 c and another similarly equipped card 100 dmagnetically levitating in the depicted z-axis or vertical directionabove card 100 c. For stability, at least one of electromagnets 910-926in card 100 d, for example, electromagnets 916 and 920 of card 100 d arepolarized to attract to electromagnets 916 and 920 of card 100 c, and afeedback loop can be utilized by the levitation control circuit (e.g., aPID controller) to continuously adjust one or more electromagnets tomaintain relative position between cards 100 c and 100 d.

While not shown, each card 100 c and 100 d can include electromagnetsprovided at predetermined angles to provide precise control of magneticfields that can move card 100 d and hold it precisely in any of thethree depicted dimensions, for example, translating card 100 d in thex-axis, y-axis and/or z-axis directions and/or rotate card 100 d aboutthe x-axis, y-axis and/or z-axis with high accuracy usingelectromagnetic variability. In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 c canassume master status and overlying card 100 d can assume slave status,such that master card 100 c controls the positioning of card 100 d. Thedistances between various points of cards 100 c and 100 d can bedetermined via one or more pixels of first or second light emitting unit122, 124 and one or more pixels of first or second light detection units126, 128 of card 100 c (or card 100 d) at different localized positionson the face of card 100 via emission of specific light wavelengths andpatterns from specific portions of the major surface of card 100 c (orcard 100 d) that faces the opposite card 100 d (or 100 c). The distancebetween cards 100 c and 100 d could be determined, for example, byemitting a known visual image or magnetic image of known size on onecard, allowing the other card to view the image of known size, and thenusing parallax to determine a distance between cards.

FIG. 10C shows a result of the levitation control circuit levitatingcard 100 d by card 100 c such that card 100 d pivots about an axis inthe y-axis direction through electromagnets 914, 920, and 926 to movethe negative x-axis side of card 100 d through an angle θ in thenegative z-axis direction. In an embodiment, cards 100 c and 100 d caninclude one or more light emitters and complementary lightreceiving/detecting elements (not shown) that align to produce adetected signal, for example, above a predetermined power/durationthreshold level, only if aligned when cards 100 are positioned relativeto one another in a predetermined way at least for the initialhandshake. For example, FIGS. 10B and 10C shows a dotted line 928representing a direction in which a light receiving pixel in card 100 ccan receive and detect light, and a solid line 930 representing adirection in which a light emitting pixel of card 100 d can emit light.As can be seen in FIG. 10B, the light receiving pixel of card 100 c doesnot receive and detect a photon stream emitted from the light emittingpixel of card 100 d, but FIG. 10C shows directions 928 and 930 align inthree dimensions after the adjustment via magnetic levitation control.While FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate one pair of light emitting andreceiving pixels, plural light receiving and light emitting pixel pairscan be set at various relative positions to one other than perpendicularto the surfaces of the cards, for example, at plural acute anglesrelative to the facing major surfaces of cards 100 c and 100 d. In anembodiment, communication between cards 100 c and 100 d can include aform of encryption where the relative position of cards 100 c and 100 dchanges periodically in some prescribed way such that communicationcorrespondingly switches between different subsets of light emittingpixels 107 and light receiving/detecting pixels 148. In this way, cards100 c and 100 d can optically communicate with one another verysecurely.

It is to be appreciated that cards 100 d and 100 c as shown in FIGS.10A-10C can pertain to a situation in which one belongs to a buyer andthe other belongs to a seller, the buyer displays a credit card image,the seller displays a barcode in which both parties may be required toprovide biometric identification (ID) and both parties also use the sameplatform for usual browsing, shopping, and so on. Because card 100provides two-sided communication capability, cards 100 may also providea conduit through an intermediary, for example, a lawyer or titlecompany. Thus, a buyer's card 100 may include coded informationproviding a “cashier's check” from the buyer's bank. The intermediaryautomatically receives the “cashier's check” data and automaticallytransfers coded information to the seller's card 100 that represents thenet proceeds of a sale. Such intermediary transactions may also includeauction situations, contingent sales, and other situations where threeor more parties are involved in a transaction.

The ability to place a plurality of cards 100 side-by-side in a stackleads to another feature of card 100, which is to provide dynamic, adhoc memory. While each individual card 100 includes a finite amount ofmemory 114 (see FIGS. 2 and 6 ), each individual card 100 will generallyhave at least a portion of its memory 114 available. By placing aplurality of cards 100 side-by-side and enabling a memory sharing modewith one card being a controlling or master card, the available memoryof each card 100 in a stack of cards 100 can assist in functionsrequiring more memory than is available to one card 100. While suchmemory needs would typically be temporary, with the high-speedcommunication capabilities of card 100, stacks of cards 100 couldprovide low-cost expandable memory in a plurality of environments,including environmentally adverse environments. Because such ad hocmemory is flexible, expandable, and shared across a plurality of reallocations, the ad hoc memory of a plurality of cards 100 forms an ad hoccloud memory.

FIG. 11A is a diagram of a bracket, or mechanical dock 1002 that can beused to provide a measured space, gap, or distance between a pluralityof cards 100 e and 100 f configured according to the present disclosure.Dock 1002 includes a plurality of slots 1010 and 1012 separated by aland 1014 and configured to hold cards 100 e and 100 f a predeterminedspaced distance d from each other. The predetermined spaced distance dis established by the ability of cards 100 e and 100 f to transmit andreceive information between the layers and pixels described hereinabove.In an exemplary embodiment, spaced distance d may be in the range of 1mm to 2 mm. While dock 1002 is configured for horizontally orientedcards, FIG. 10B shows an embodiment of a vertical dock 1020. Verticaldock 120 includes a plurality of slots 1022 and 1024 separated by a land1026 and configured to hold cards 100 e and 100 d a spaced distance dfrom each other. In another exemplary embodiment (not shown), a dock mayhold cards 100 e and 100 f directly adjacent or side-by-side to eachother in a single slot, with minimal or no distance between adjacentsurfaces of cards 100 e and 100 f, i.e., adjacent surfaces of cards 100e and 100 f contact each other.

Physical docks such as docks 1002 and 1020 can be used for anycard-to-card data transfer, particularly long duration data transfersbetween cards. Transfers can also be accomplished by holding two cardstogether while aligning the cards to substantially overlap each other.While having two cards perfectly overlapped provides the most optimalalignment of transmitting and receiving pixels, a module and/orprocessor 110 of each card 100 is capable of analyzing all availablepixels to determine which pixels are receiving data, and ignoring anypixels that are misaligned and/or otherwise not receiving data. Themagnetic levitation techniques described hereinabove can also be usedfor data transfer of short or long periods. Magnetic levitationtechniques may improve the security of data transfer by maintaining twocards in extremely close proximity, such as within 1 mm of each other,or in contact with each other, which minimizes data transmissionemissions beyond the edges of either of the two cards.

Docks 1002 and 1020 also can include a charging function provided byspring loaded or flexible detents (not shown) that engage chargingelectrodes of cards 100 e and 100 f, such as charging electrodes 184shown in FIG. 6 . Additionally, while the height of docks 1002 and 1020can be set to cover cards 100 e and 100 f, the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 11A and 11B allow for use of exposed portions of cards 100 e and100 f, for, in an example, user input and control to major surfaces 101and 102 of cards 100 e and 100 f, to display an image while charging ortransferring data to alert the user when transfer is complete or when aproblem is encountered, or to provide other information to the user. Itis to be understood that the number of slots can be of any practicalnumber to enable communication between more than two cards. Further,only one slot can be provided for a charging and or communication dockthat can connect to another device via a serial communication andcharging line, such as a USB cable.

Two or more cards 100 can be placed in a holder (not shown) which alignsthe cards very accurately therein, and the holder can provide externalmagnetism or physical forces within tolerance so as not to damage thecards, while serving to align the cards with no appreciable air space,gap, or distance between cards. For this purpose, pins and guides couldbe provided as surface features, or, slight notches or grooves on theedges which have no effect on the expected functions of the card 100,but serve to align one card 100 with another card 100, e.g., card 100 ewith card 100 f, or one card to a device fully integrated with the sameor compatible technology (e.g., a display on a PC having a portionfashioned as card 100 is fashioned, and fully integrated to the PC so asto enable all functions using the PC's processor, software and networkattachments).

FIGS. 12A-12C are diagrams of exemplary swipe brackets that can be usedas portable POS card readers, for example, to perform transactions atprofessional offices, conferences, flea markets, festivals, fairs, swapmeets, food trucks, between individuals, etc., as well as at traditionalretail and wholesale environments. These brackets can be used as adocking, lock, and swipe bracket, and can be adjusted for two differentorientations of docking, e.g., horizontal or vertical.

FIG. 12A is a side view of a portable swipe bracket 1102 a according toan exemplary embodiment, in which the card user can insert a card 100 gand then swipe another card 100 h either horizontally or vertically suchthat card 100 g can read the virtual or physical magnetic strip on card100 h. At least card 100 g is an embodiment of a card according to thepresent disclosure, and card 100 h can be a card according to thepresent disclosure or a “legacy” type card that includes a physicalmagnetic stripe. Swipe bracket 1102 a includes a first slot 1104 and asecond slot 1106 between which is a section 1116, which respectivelyaccommodate cards 100 g and 100 h. Section 1116 has a thickness allowingmagnetic field lines from a magnetic strip, such as magnetic strip 104described hereinabove, to penetrate and be detected by a magnetic-inlayer of card 100 g, such as magnetic-in layers 192 a and 192 bdescribed hereinabove. While not shown, card 100 g can be securelyprovided in first slot 1104 by frictional engagement, enclosed in avariation of first slot 1104 that is part of an enclosure (not shown),or simply held in place while completing a transaction. In anembodiment, first slot 1104 and/or second slot 1106 can extend tooverlap card 100 g and/or card 100 h to a further or lesser extent thandepicted in FIG. 12A. In an exemplary embodiment, swipe bracket 1102 acan be hand-held or attached to another object, for example, by anadhesive or a clamping structure.

FIG. 12B is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a swipebracket 1102 b that can be used as a table-top or counter type swipingapparatus. Swipe bracket 1102 b includes an upper bracket portion 1120and a base 1103 either attached to upper bracket portion 1120 or formedintegrally as part of upper bracket portion 120 that provides supportand stability for upper bracket portion 1120. Base 1103 further includesa base upper surface 1111. Note that “upper surface” is so denoted forconvenience and surface 1111 may be oriented in a plurality oforientations that may not necessarily be described as “upper.” Swipebracket 1102 b further includes a first slot 1108 positioned or formedin upper bracket portion 1120 that forms part of an enclosure thathouses card 100 g, a second slot 1110 positioned or formed in upperbracket portion 1120 that accommodates card 100 h to be swiped, and asection 1118 positioned between slots 1108 and 1110. In anotherembodiment, base 1103 is not provided and bracket portion 1120 can behand-held or placed on a surface. Upper bracket portion 1120 can beoriented in any orientation, for example, an orientation in which slots1108 and 1110 extend in a direction that is parallel with base uppersurface 1111, and in other orientations.

A slot opening (not shown) is positioned at one end of swipe bracket1102 c to permit inserting card 100 g into swipe bracket 1102 c. FIG.12C shows a sectional view of a swipe bracket 1102 c, which is amodification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B that allows forincreased operational features when swiping legacy cards or cards inaccordance with the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12C, swipebracket 1102 c includes an upper bracket portion 1122 and may include abase such as base 1103. Upper bracket portion 1122 includes a first slot1124, a second slot 1126, a section 1130 positioned between first slot1124 and second slot 1126, and a first opening or window 1112 formed insection 1130 and positioned between first slot 1124 and second slot 1126to allow card 100 g to optically communicate with a card swiped throughslot 1126. Upper bracket portion 1122 further includes a second openingor window 1114 positioned between slot 1124 and an outer surface 1128 ofbracket 1102 c to allow viewing and/or user input to card 100 g. Whilenot shown, at least one opening/window 1112, 1114 includes side portionsto support the portion of bracket 1102 c forming an upper portion 1124 aof slot 1124. With first opening or window 1112, swipe bracket 1102 ccan also function as a data transfer bracket to transfer data betweencards 100 g and 100 h.

It is to be understood that an embodiment of a portable swipe bracketaccording to the present disclosure can include a power supply tooperate card 100 g and/or card 100 h, charge card 100 g, and/or allowfor extended use of card 100 g while in the swipe bracket. In anembodiment, the brackets can be communicatively coupled or docked toanother device, such as a cell phone, laptop computer via serial bus orBluetooth™, electronic tablet, or a Wi-Fi access node. Additionally, anyembodiment of a swipe bracket can include one or more openings orwindows of optically transparent material allowing for opticalcommunication between cards and/or to allow for user input to firstmajor surface 101 or second major surface 102 of card 100 g and/or card100 h. Also, an embodiment of the swipe bracket can include operationalelements (not shown), such as hard keys on the bracket portion or thebase, to allow for one or both card users to interface with card 100 g,card 100 h, and system 1 (see FIG. 1 ).

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a conventional, or legacy magnetic swipe POSreader 1200, which may be described as a card reader or credit/debitcard processor 1200. Reader 1200 includes a conventional magnetic readhead 1212, a slot 1202 for guiding a card adjacent to magnetic read head1212, a display 1204 such as an LCD touch panel display, and a set ofoperational hard keys 1206, although some readers do not includeoperational hard keys. Reader 1200 also includes a power feed line 1208that supplies power to reader 1200, a data feed line 1210 that allowsreader 1200 to communicate with a remote verification server (notshown), and a housing 1214. Power feed line 1208 connects to a powerconnector 1209 positioned at the back side of housing 1214 of reader1200 and data feed line 1210 connects to a data connector 1211 at theback of the housing of reader 1200.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary POS card reader 1300 according to the presentdisclosure. Unlike legacy card reader 1200, card reader 1300 does notinclude a slot for swiping a card and instead reads and writes in aflatbed manner. As shown in FIG. 14 , reader 1300 includes a reader body1301, an auxiliary display 1302, and operational hard keys 1303,although another embodiment may not include one or both of an auxiliarydisplay and operational hard keys. Card reader 1300 further includes acommunication display 1304 and a frame 1306 surrounding communicationdisplay 1304. Card reader 1300 includes a power feed line 1308 and apower connector 1309 to provide a connection between power feed line1308 between power feed line 1308 and reader body 1301. Card reader 1300also includes a data feed line 1310 and a data connector 1311 to providea connection between data feed line 1310 and reader body 1301.

Frame 1306 around communication display 1304 can be configured, i.e.,shaped and positioned, to position card 100 in parallel to and inproximity to communication display 1304. For example, frame 1306 caninclude only a first side 1306 a and an adjacent second side 1306 braised above, higher, or away from an outer or exterior surface ofcommunication display 1304, and first side 1306 a and second side 1306 bcan include an interior corner 1314 to assist a user in placing card 100on communication display 1304 and to allow the user to slide card 100off in a direction away from first side 1306 a and second side 1306 b.In another embodiment, the entire frame 1306 is raised above the outeror exterior surface of communication display 1304 and ejectors (notshown) having, for example, a plastic (soft) bottom on left and rightside, cock or tilt card 100 up so the user can grab edge 105 to get card100 back or to pick card 100 from reader body 1301 without difficulty.In an embodiment, the magnetic levitation function of card 100 can alsobe present in a more modern version of the terminal-based point of salesystem that allows the point of sale system to levitate card 100, whicheliminates touch or contact to move card 100 away from communicationdisplay 1304. The ability to move card 100 away from communicationdisplay 1304 to enable easy removal of card 100 from reader body 1301can help prevent the spread of contagious disease by decreasing contactwith reader body 1301 and can help protect card 100 card from wear andtear.

Communication display 1304 can include elements of card 100 of thepresent disclosure and can at least include light emitters and lightreceivers/detectors, such as those described hereinabove with respect tofirst/second light emitting units 122, 124 and first/second lightdetection units 126, 128, and a magnetic stripe reader/writer along atleast areas 1312 a and 1312 b. In this way, reader 1300 can opticallycommunicate with card 100 according to the present disclosure and canread magnetic stripes of both legacy cards and cards 100 configuredaccording to the present disclosure.

While legacy readers can be replaced with a reader according to thepresent disclosure, such as reader 1300 described hereinabove, there maybe a need to communicate through a legacy type card reader (i.e., aswiper box) because the POS system will not run if it does not see itsconventional swiper box. In such a situation, the conventional swiperbox can be emulated using a fast and easy configuration that converts alegacy magnetic swipe POS assembly to a form more suited to advantageoususe of the card features disclosed herein, particularly the opticalfeatures, such as light detecting pixels 148 and light emitting pixels107, including flatbed read and write, without removing the legacyswiper. As shown in FIG. 15-15C, a vendor may simply affix an opticaldisplay/reader emulating card 100 of this disclosure to the legacyreader or swiper box (or a new display/reader much like card 100 of thisdisclosure), using a simplified attaching mechanism, such as industrial2 sided tape and a cover designed with rubberized gaskets so as to docksolidly with the legacy reader. It may also be necessary to loadsoftware into the POS system of the kind which is known in the art orreadily configurable to manage proper operation of the elementsdescribed herein.

FIG. 15A is a front view diagram of legacy card reader 1200 and a reader1300 a, which is a conversion modification of reader 1300 describedhereinabove. Reader 1300 a includes a member 1422 that extends orprotrudes from an interior surface 1316 of reader 1300 a, a front panel1424, and a plurality of sidewalls 1426. In an exemplary embodiment,protruding member 1422 extends perpendicularly away from interiorsurface 1316. Member 1422 is insertable into slot 1202 of legacy cardreader 1200. Member 1422 and sidewalls 1426, which are shown in phantombehind front panel 1424 and guide reader 1300 a to cover legacy reader1200, although another embodiment may not include extension 1422 and/orsidewalls 1426. An adhesive 1428 may be positioned between legacy reader1200 and reader 1300 a to secure reader 1300 a to legacy reader 1200.Reader 1300 a and legacy reader 1200 may also be secured by fasteners,heat staking, and other securing systems. Reader 1300 a is positionedinto sliding engagement with legacy reader 1200, as shown by arrows1440; i.e., reader 1300 a is slid over legacy reader 1200 whileprotrusion or member 1422 is slide into slot 1202. Once reader 1300 aand legacy reader 1200 are positioned as shown in FIG. 15B, reader 1300a and legacy reader 1200 form a combined reader assembly 1318. FIG. 15Bis a front view diagram of combined reader assembly 1318.

FIG. 15C is a rear view diagram of combined reader assembly 1318 showinga wiring configuration for connecting power and data lines betweenlegacy reader 1200 and reader 1300 a. Reader 1300 includes a power outconnector 1438, a data connector 1442, and reader assembly 1318 includesan external power line or connection 1430, an external data line orconnection 1432, an interconnecting power line or connection 1434, andan interconnecting data line 1436. External power line or connection1430 provides a function similar to power feed line 1208 of magneticswipe or legacy reader 1200, and external data line or connection 1432provides a function similar to data feed line 1210 of magnetic swipe orlegacy reader 1200. External power line 1430 provides power to readerassembly 1318 through power connector 1309, and external data line 1432provides external communications, for example, from a server, processor,or other functional or operational device, to reader assembly 1318through data connector 1311. Interconnecting power line 1434 extendsbetween power out connector 1438 and power connector 1209 andinterconnecting data line 1436 extends between data connector 1211positioned on of magnetic swipe or legacy reader 1200 and data connector1442 positioned on reader 1300 a, and provide power and data tie-ins,respectively, between of magnetic swipe or legacy reader 1200 and reader1300 a. Line 1434 connects between a power-out connector 1438 of reader1300 and power-in connector 1209 of legacy reader 1200 to provide apower tie-in, connection, or link between the readers 1200 and 1300 a,and line 1436 connects between the a data-out connector 1430 and thedata-in connector 1211 to provide a data tie-in, connection, or linkbetween the readers 1200 and 1300 a.

FIG. 16A is a diagram of a tethered version of user card 100 accordingto an exemplary embodiment, although embodiments of card 100 can beconfigured as tethered or non-tethered versions. A tether device orpatch cord device 1510 can connect to another device 1502, whichincludes a head end 1514 that interfaces with card 100 and a tail end1516 that connects to device 1502 through an interface such as a serialport of device 1502, and a cord 1518, including wiring and/or opticalfiber, configured to connect and to attach head end 1514 to tail end1516. Tether device 1510 communicates with one or more layers of card100, e.g., the layers described hereinabove. Thus, tether or tetherdevice 1510 may communicate optically, magnetically, aurally, or throughother methods.

Tether device 1510 can be used to gather data from card 100 and to passdata to another device, such as device 1502. In addition to tether 1510is configured to pass data and/or power to card 100 from device 1502.Tether 1510 can also be used to configure and/or reset card 100. Device1502 can include, for example, a cell phone, a smart phone, anelectronic tablet, a laptop computer, a transformer device providingtransformed power, a vehicle having a compatible or adaptable interface,and other devices. Contemporary versions of many devices 1502 mayinclude one or more ports, such as FireWire™, USB, HDMI, 100faseT, orsome other type of serial or parallel port, which would serve as theinterface for tail end 1516 of tether device 1510.

While FIG. 16A shows an embodiment in which tether device 1510 ismagnetically attached to major surface 101, tether device 1510 can besecured to or provided adjacent to major surface 101 or major surface102 of card 100 in a number of ways. Such attachments include providinga suction cup type attachment, a magnetic attachment, or both on tetherhead end 1514 to attach to card surface 101 or card surface 102,including or utilizing a physical bracket or clamp holding a surface oftether 1510, such as head surface 1522 a or 1522 b, described in moredetail hereinbelow, to surface 101 or surface 102 of card 100, includingor utilizing a clip that holds a head surface to either surface 101 orsurface 102, or some other mechanism that maintains relative positioningbetween card 100 and tether 1510. In another exemplary embodiment, atether may include a plurality of tether head ends and each of thetether head ends are configured to be positioned adjacent to eithersurface 101, surface 102, though the tether head ends may individuallybe attached to either surface so that communication via surface 101 andsurface 102 may occur simultaneously. In yet another exemplaryembodiment, a portion of tether 1510 can be hand held against cardsurface 101 or card surface 102. In a further embodiment, tether device1510 can be part of a dual sided tether allowing for redundancy orhigher data transfer speeds, and a clip, clamp, or bracket can hold theplural surfaces of such a tether to each side of card 100 at the sametime so that communication occurs simultaneously through card surface101 and card surface 102. A clip could attach to head end 1514 of tether1510 and become immobilized through magnetics to allow for rapid andsimplified disconnection of head end 1514 from card 100.

FIG. 16B shows a side view diagram of an exemplary embodiment of tether1510. Tether device 1510 can have an angled configuration (e.g., rightangled) where head 1514 meets cord 1518 or no angle at all such as anin-line configuration. The tether shown in FIG. 16B is an in-line tether1514 including portion 1520 including a magnetic element, which can be apermanent magnet or electromagnet, or ferromagnetic material that isattracted to a complementary ferromagnetic material, or a permanentmagnet or electromagnet can provided in card 100. These complementarymagnetic materials are formed of a shape and positioned such that tetherhead 1514 attaches to a predetermined area of major surface 101 or 102.In another exemplary embodiment, magnetic-out pixels 109 may generate anattractive magnetic field that may be detected by moving head end 1514in a region proximate to card surface 101 or card surface 102.

In an embodiment, light receiving detecting units 126 or 128 workingwith processor 110 can recognize the approaching tether using eitherimage recognition or optical communication between card major surfaceand tether head surface and accordingly illuminate, e.g., by emissionsfrom light emitting pixel elements 107, or otherwise indicate on theapproached major surface 101 of card 100 an area of card 100 includingthe magnetic portion to which to attach tether head 1514. The tetheredversion of card 100 can draw power from host device 1502 to allow card100 to extend operation of power intensive elements, such asdisplay-related elements. For example, tether head 1514 can house awireless power delivery mechanism, such as a solenoid in the tip of thetether that interacts with a coil (not shown) embedded in card 100 toprovide a charging current. The tether can be modular. In an embodimentwith tethering enabled, server 200 (FIG. 1 ) can determine whether card100 is in proximity to a designated cell-phone or mobile device. Forexample, card 100 is more likely to be legitimately used by anauthorized user if one or both designated devices are in proximity, andcard 100 can be disabled if not in proximity to another authorized andassociated device.

FIG. 16C is a front view diagram of tether 1510 showing head surface1522 a of head 1514. In an exemplary embodiment, head surface 1522 a caninclude optical elements and/or magnetic elements, such as intermixedarrays of light emitting pixels, light receiving/detection pixels,magnetic-in pixels and magnetic-out pixels similar to magnetic andoptical elements present below major surfaces 101 and 102 of card 100,as described hereinabove. Tether head 1514 includes conversion circuitry(e.g., microelectronics) that can convert a serial or parallel datastream received from a serial port in tail end 1516 to data that istransmitted over optical and/or magnetic based channels establishedbetween card 100 and tether 1518. Tether head 1514 is also able toconvert received optical and/or magnetic data from card 100 to a serialor parallel data stream to be transmitted to the interface at tail end1516 of tether 1510. When attached to major surface 101 or major surface102, card 100 and tether 1510 perform a magnetic and/or opticalhandshake in which tether 1510 passes card 100 identificationinformation and optically and magnetically communicates with connecteddevice 1502. Hence, tether 1510 can deliver industry standardcommunications formats at the tail end 1516 through conversionelectronics powered in and housed in tether 1510, for example, in head1514. It is to be understood that head surface 1522 a may include anysubset of intermixed pixel arrays, for example, only light emittingpixels and light receiving/detection pixels. Tail ends of tethers, suchas tail end 1516 shown in FIG. 16B, can include such common devices asear buds, headsets, speakers, etc., for example, instead of a serial orparallel interface.

FIG. 16D is a side view diagram of a tether 1510 a that includes heads1514 a and 1514 b at respective ends thereof, connected by a cord 1518a. Each of heads 1514 a and 1514 b are substantially identical and canbe the same or similar to head 1514 described hereinabove. The presentembodiment can be used to provide an optical connection between card 100and one head end 1514 a of tether 1510 a, and an optical connectionbetween the other head end 1514 b of tether 1510 a and another opticaland/or magnetic interface. For example, tether 1510 a can be used totransfer optically transmitted data from card 100 to a cell phone or acomputer display including an intermixed array (not shown) similar tocard 100. In an exemplary embodiment, each head end 1514 a and head end1514 b includes conversion circuitry (e.g. microelectronics). Forexample, one or more CCD pixels provided at one tether head end 1514 acan receive one or more photon streams received from card 100 andconvert the received photon stream to an electrical signal, which inturn is converted back to a photon stream by conversion circuitry at theother tether head end 1514 b. A similar conversion can be made in theopposite direction from tether head end 1514 b to tether head end 1514a.

In another embodiment, tether 1510 a can include optical channelsthrough the entire length of cord 1518 a such that the conversioncircuitry described hereinabove is not needed. FIG. 16E is a front orrear side view of a head 1514 c, where a surface 1522 b of head 1514 cincludes at least one optical fiber 1524. While FIG. 16E shows a bundleof 7 individual optical fibers, head 1514 c can include more or lessfibers.

In an embodiment, card 100 and system 1 allow for cloning cards.Card-to-card cloning can be appreciated by considering the cards shownin FIGS. 10B-10C, for example, in which card 100 d is the card to becloned, or “original” card, and card 100 c is a destination card inaccordance with the present disclosure. FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate anexemplary legacy card 1600 that can be cloned using card 100. As shownin FIG. 17A, a first major surface 1601 of legacy card 1600 includes anindication that it is a driver's license, an image of the licensee 1602,an image of the licensee's fingerprint 1604, a smaller image of thelicensee 1606, a retinal scan 1608, and other information and imagessuch as identification information, an expiration date, a watermark1616, and/or a hologram 1618. FIG. 17B illustrates a second majorsurface 1610 of legacy card 1600, which can include a magnetic stripe1612, a bar code (not shown), a watermark 1616, and other informationtypically found on the reverse side of a license. Of course, FIGS. 17Aand 17B show but one type of the plurality or seemingly endless varietyof cards that can be cloned using card 100 and system 1 according to thepresent disclosure. The types of “clone-able” cards include other cards100, credit cards, bank cards, business cards, brokerage cards, secureidentification cards, entry cards, and others. As another example, aSocial Security card could be among the items stored in card 100 oraccessible to card 100 so that card 100 and system 1 can serve as securestorage and displayer of official single- or multi-identification cardsor displayable information.

Each clone operation is tracked by both the transmitting or providingcard 100 and the receiving card 100 so that a clone “trail” may bedetected to help assure only authorized cloning is performed. Parents,relatives, friends, partners, etc. may wish to clone a limited portionof their card for use by another. Because card 100 includes thecapability of acquiring biometric information from the users of card100, card 100 may require biometric information from an authorizedholder of card 100 to permit cloning. This biometric data will beincluded as part of the clone “trail” so that authorizations arerecorded for traceability. The order of cloning is also tracked as partof the clone “trail” so that each parent card 100 is known by a childcard 100. In an exemplary embodiment, each card 100 has its own uniqueidentifier for traceability. As can be seen, card 100 and system 1 canprovide positive, certain, reliable, and encrypted information, such asidentification information, for the user.

FIG. 17C is a diagram illustrating the cloning operation being performedbetween card 100 and legacy card 1600. Card 100, being in full sizecredit card conformation, is capable of capturing all art, text,graphics, images, holograms etc. present on first major surface 1601 ofcard 1600 using first light detection unit 126 or second light detectionunit 128 below major surface 101 or major surface 102, respectively, ofcard 100 facing first major surface 1601, as indicated by a plurality ofarrows 1614 between the cards. After capturing the information of firstmajor surface 1601, card 1600 is flipped and the process is repeated tocapture information of second major surface 1610. The capturedinformation of card 1600 can be stored in card 100 and/or server 200(see FIG. 1 ), for example, in memory 114 of card 100 or in a database250 accessible by transaction/ID/access card management unit 234. Whenselected, the captured images of major faces 1601 and 1610 of card 1600can be displayed with mirror-image correction and can be displayedsimultaneously with the mirror-image correction so that the result is adigital clone of analog legacy card 1600. It is to be understood thatsome legacy cards may require capture of only a single side of the card.In this situation, an embodiment of card 100 can be configured todisplay the captured card single side image on only one major surface101 or 102 of card 100, or both major surfaces 101 and 102 of card 100can display the same single side captured image.

Magnetic stripe (or magnetic layer) used to communicate or handshakewhile cloning helps keeps counterfeit devices out of the stack. In otherwords, the combination of an optical image in close proximity to card100 and magnetic stripe makes it very hard for public enemy to get intothe mix, without making a complete counterfeit device. Without theproprietary encryption combinations disclosed herein, when thecounterfeit is asked to handshake and set up its magnetic stripe ormagnetic image using portions of the whole surface, for the second stagehandshake, it will fail. Additionally, there are typical standards indata processing, including encryption during transmission and reception.Card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein, in some embodiments, emphasizesinitialization of a connection and just the primal or initial handshake.These steps can also incorporate the aural embodiments describedthroughout this specification, with respect to piezoelectric elementsincluded in card 100, adding the aural tertiary function of sound outand in, across the entire surface on both sides of card 100.

In another embodiment, a card pertaining to medical insurance or othermedical products services can be emulated or cloned using card 100 andsystem 1. In this case, the medical card may well not have any magneticstripe, but instead includes a bar code, Qr code, or the like in theplace where a magnetic stripe may be, perhaps on the back of the card.It is possible that an emulation of such a card will not be properlydisplayed, especially if both sides are required to be imaged.Typically, such cards are read by medical support personnel who may bein a hospital environment or small office where magnetic stripeequipment may not be available, but optical capture of essential imagesmay nevertheless take place.

Such medical-related cards are further often required to be cloned. Inthe United States, for example, health insurance is often linked toemployment so that in any given household, though one person mayprimarily be the owner of the card, many others may be required to carrythem.

Benefits to secure transactions in the case of medical cards may notonly include verifying that the card user is authorized, but also in thecase of avoiding medical mistakes. In accordance with an exemplaryembodiment, a certain procedure or diagnosis may be securely associatedwith a certain person, even if the person is unconscious orunresponsive, as in the case of an anaesthetized person scheduled forsurgery or an accident victim who has a known condition. In such a case,the person's biometrics can easily be made available, for example, afingerprint. Thus, biometric and other identification information may beverified on the way to the operating room such that corrective surgeryto the right limb of the right person, for example, is being applied.The same card may still continue to contain all of the informationpertaining to diagnosis, provision of secondary medical treatment suchas physiotherapy, allergies, prescriptions, and so on. A person thussecurely tracked could potentially even be moved last-minute to adifferent facility without fear of losing track of information.Naturally the same virtual card, complete with other stored cards, couldalso be used by an enterprising user to negotiate treatment rates andother details while still in a medical waiting room or simply arrange topay wirelessly for continued parking while the procedure is ongoing, ormake appropriate purchases. Since the device can, as mentionedelsewhere, serve purposes of value to a hospital, an incentive existsfor the same hospital to allow patients to use the device in such a wayas to not overly interfere in the way known to cell phones in suchenvironments. The hospital may have power to restrict use of the device,if desired or necessary, by limiting access to local wireless and wirednetworks, or by restricting the types of communication conducted overlocal wireless and wired networks.

As technology advancements evolve, card 100 will have more pixel density(light emitting, light receiving, magnetic-out, magnetic-in,piezoelectric-in, piezoelectric-out, etc.) per unit of measure (e.g.,square inch). As such, newer versions of cards 100 can always receivedata from older versions of cards 100. Compatibility for basiccard-to-card communications (i.e., face-to-face) is assured, sinceincreased pixel density requires only a knowledge of how to align toprevent misalignment, as may be appreciated by considering card 100 anda card 100′, shown in FIG. 18A, in which the pixel densities of the twocards is unequal. As shown in FIG. 18B, an older card 100 in accordancewith the present disclosure can have a pixel density of X by Y and anewer, “next generation” card 100′ can have a pixel density, forexample, of 10X x 10Y, as illustrated by the relatively darker shadingof card 100′. Newer card 100′ can auto-program for compatible datatransfer by array assignment in blocks. For example, as shown in FIG.18B, one pixel 1700 of card 100 can translate to 100 pixels 1710 of card100′.

In an embodiment in which two cards 100 or a card 100 and other deviceincluding technology similar to card 100 have different sized majorsurfaces, data can spread across the entire surface of the smallest ofthe bidirectional displays, i.e., the larger display automaticallydown-sizes operation of pixels for communication or display to meet thesmaller bidirectional display up to pixel-for-pixel in a better alignedsituation, or a less number of pixels present in the overlapping areas,by self-sizing and auto-sizing the larger bidirectional display to thesmaller bidirectional display as illustrated in FIG. 18C. As shown inFIG. 18C, smaller card 100 is placed in an overlapping manner against alarger surface 100 i including display technology similar to card 100.The transfer of data can use a maximum number of available communicativepixels based on the least common denominator of available communicativepixels, alignment, etc.

In this way, the present disclosure provides a device that, whilekeeping all the POS and internet marketing capabilities, gives the useran incentive to adopt this specific form factor with maximal two-waydisplay in place of other solutions.

The aforementioned example represents perhaps one of the onlytechnologies that allows the form factor of the card to increase itsthroughput 100 fold as technology evolves, while readily enablingcommunication with older cards. The architecture of data transmissionand reception means does not have to change, only the density changes(until such time as it is desired to change the individual pixelemission or individual light detection (e.g., CCD) collection algorithmand even then, the older methods can still be automatically supported byincluding an algorithm to translate or change the communication of anolder card 100 to a form understood by a newer card, such as card 100′).As densities grow ever higher across the surface of card 100, it becomesmore and more possible to increase the presence of invisible watermarks, pixels which do not detract from an image, as the human eyecannot detect them. However, advanced software can detect invisibleemissions from pixels intended to provide a unique identifier for theimage and, authentication methodologies, such as water marking. One wayto accomplish this method is to use frequencies which are highlyspecific for the pixels which represent the water mark. Another methodis to know, when the image is properly rasterized, which pixels areintended for human viewing and which ones are to be interpreted as morethan the image, forming the water mark.

Returning now to FIG. 1 , the functions carried out by server 200 arenow described in more detail. Server 200 includes a processor 228, aplurality of functional units, and database 250 for carrying out variousfunctions of system 1. The functional units include card/userauthentication unit 230, value analyzing unit 232, transaction/ID/accesscard management unit 234, tracking unit 236 that tracks card usage,patterns and other historical information related to card 100 and theuser, a docking unit 238 that manages docking of card 100 with variousdevices, and a data transfer management unit 240 that manages dataexchange functions not handled by card 100, although embodiments ofserver 200 can include additional or fewer functional units.

The card/user authentication unit 230 handles processes related toidentification, login, logout, and related security features. In anexemplary embodiment, card/user authentication unit 230 can require a“hard login” by the user that includes taking a series of biometricreadings from the card user via authentication unit 142 of card 100,which can be as numerous as necessary and available, and can beperformed in a given sequence, to uniquely identify the user withessentially perfect certainty and log the identified user into card 100and the services supporting card 100. As a user desires or as a systemrequirement, which could or would be periodic, for example, as a once aday event, while further use of card 100 (each actual use) still mayrequire a minimum contingent biometric login, i.e., a “soft login” ascompared to a hard login, so as to add to the security aspect of card100. Should the user drop card 100 or lose it, based on time elapsedfrom that event, proximity (distance) from card 100 as detected by otherdocked elements the user carries, or a predetermined number ofunsuccessful soft login attempts, card 100 may partially or fully logout and go into a fully secure mode requiring the maximum amount oflogin steps to recover the functionality of card 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 login can migrate into computer andelectronic device screens where, once the user has hard logged into card100, logging into machines during the hard log period (e.g., one daythereafter) may be accomplished with a swipe or holding card 100 toanother computer or other electronic device's screen, when and wheredesignated (e.g., the larger screen of a computer or other device cantell a user where to place card 100 for logging or other data transfer).As such, the assurance from card 100 and the assurance from the servicesupporting card 100 that the user is identified, passes in a simple steprather than a complex and time consuming series of steps. The user takesthe complex logging steps perhaps once each day, and sets how long thesecomplex logging steps hold until again required, or for what size ortype transaction the user wishes card 100 and an associated service todemand the complex logging steps, versus a shorter form of logging (lessbiometric verification). Thereafter, logging to services through amachine, such as that presented as one traverses a network, can beaccomplished with the hard and soft logging functions of card 100, evento the extent of satisfying and replacing login tests such as theCAPCHA™ (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers andHumans Apart), as obsolete. In an exemplary embodiment, card/userauthentication unit 230 can have card 100 take at least one, andpreferably two or more forms of biometric readings from users viaauthentication unit 142 of card 100 as card 100 is used for anytransaction, essentially in near real time or real time, and can shutcard 100 down and halt a transaction if the affirmed (confirmed)biometric data is not present within a preset minimum of time, such aswithin a few seconds of the card read or write, to guard the user fromidentity theft or any other form of fraud. The level or hierarchy ofbiometrics required for a transaction can be set by system 1 and/or as apreference of the card user, or a combination of both system 1 and carduser. For example, a user can set a hierarchy requiring at least onemore biometric type reading than a hierarchy of biometric reading(s) setby system 1. Furthermore, a user can set a first transaction level,which may be access to card information, the ability to clone certaincard information, a financial transaction, etc., that requires a singlebiometric and a password. A higher level access to card information, theability to clone more card 100 information, a higher value financialtransaction, etc., may require a more detailed login procedure involvingtwo biometric inputs and a more complex password. Each level of accessto card 100 requires an increased level of identification and the riskto an unauthorized user of being caught and reported automatically bycard 100.

As can be seen, card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein allow highlysecure use of card 100 and all of its capabilities through the heavy,extensive, or multi-step login procedure performed less frequently andthe lighter, less-extensive login procedure performed more frequently,for example, as frequently as with each transaction. The heavy loginprocedure, although time consuming, thereafter, leverages the fact thatthe device will not fully log off from system 1 unless the user does notagain use card 100 card with the lighter login procedure within a givenamount of time, or unless proximity alarms or any other alarm (such as atamper alarm) are tripped, forcing the heavy login procedure to beundertaken again. Because all procedures can be encrypted and arecomplex, such as a high definition read of a finger print, the heavylogin procedure being perpetuated throughout the day under thesespecific conditions provides a considerably greater degree of protectionto the user compared with merely requiring the lighter login procedureper transaction, without the existence of the heavier login procedure.

In another exemplary embodiment, Kirlian examination of an object can beadded to the biometric login function handled by authentication unit 142of card 100 and/or card/user authentication unit 230 of server 200. Inthis embodiment, card 100 can provide charged coupled device (CCD) orlight reading elements and magnetic read elements, which together withauthentication unit 142 and/or card/user authentication unit 230, canclosely examine the spectrum of an object, such as a finger, to theextent of mapping with a video and with still images, the Kirlian fieldof an object, or the magnetic field of an object, or both. That is, byclose examination of still shots, i.e., comparatively analyzing shotstaken in the order and time differential the shots were taken, and videoframes of the object's Kirlian field, or magnetic field, or both,authentication unit 142 or card/user authentication unit 230 can drawconclusions about that object. One such determination is the presence ofa pulse, by way of the action of capillaries and heartbeat of a livingmammal. Another determination is analyzing a fingerprint or the Kirlianfield of the user's finger. Another determination is the micro-pulseplacement within a capillary system which is unique per individual justlike a fingerprint, and the overlaying maps of micro-pulse, capillary,and fingerprint are equally unique, per individual. By combining thesetypes of data with other metrics, such as capillary pattern, the loginfunction can take this combination of data and process it to decide ifthe threshold for pass (or fail/deny), has been met. It should be notedthat these same features provide card 100 with the ability to detect thepresence of the user of card 100 in a “are you still there” mode. If theuser has placed card 100 in a pocket, wallet, or other location wherebiometric information is no longer available, card 100 may assume thatthe user is no longer actively using card 100, and card 100 may thenenter a standby or shutdown mode while automatically locking card 100against use until appropriate biometrics are available.

The value analyzing unit 232 can carry out tasks normally associatedwith the user, such as having to cut, carry, or even scan coupons andother discount codes, and automatically determine whether offers arelocally available. In an exemplary embodiment, when the user is in agiven location, value analyzing unit 232 can utilize locationinformation generated by location unit 144 of card 100 and searchnetwork 210 to determine local or nearby stores that have deals or otheroffers and generate and communicate a message to card 100 to alert theuser to such other opportunities pertinent to the transaction at hand ora transaction the user has indicated as being one in which he/she isabout to undertake. Accordingly, the user can be kept aware of detailsrelating to any deals that are available in the surrounding area whilethe user is in the process of shopping and purchasing goods andservices. In an embodiment, value analyzing unit 232 can notify the userof offers or opportunities related to a transaction in the process ofbeing made, but not yet finalized, which are not necessarily local tothe user's geographic location or in a brick and mortar venue.

In an exemplary embodiment, value analyzing unit 232 or alternatively, aservice within card 100 can provide numerous filters or prerequisites orpreferences that a user can set to indicate willingness to acceptcertain information provided by sellers or brokers while filtering out awide variety of what would be considered unwanted advertisement(s) aspart of the service supporting card 100.

Disclosed card 100 and system 1 allow for simple and wide-rangingagreements that personalize the content of user-desired information. Forexample, when a card user creates a want list, or hears from system 1that an item on a shopping or want list is more than 80 percent off, theuser can be warned via card 100 that an object which meets with his/hercriteria is available and within reasonable proximity, proximity beingyet another factor the user can set as a filter which may be distance tothe item in question. In another embodiment, when a card 100 user findsa specific offer for a specific item, card 100 can provide automaticnotification to the user of companies participating in the offer,depending on whether the participating companies have signed onto theoffer and provide such information via the internet or a wirelessnetwork.

Transaction/ID/access card management unit 234 of server 200 carries outcredit card functions (e.g., management of credit card functions) forcard 100. In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 can have an overallconformation that is compatible with credit card and other legacyembedded card swipe or read mechanisms. Card 100 can thus access oldertechnology of magnetic swipe such that anything “magnetic swipe” or anylegacy slot type insert magnetic reader is instantly compatible. Becausethere is a display, a lot of boundaries become “unbounded.” It becomesunnecessary to display the credit card number, for example, and thedisplay function of card 100 may be set to display, for example, thelast 4 digits only. If a user selects a function of card 100, the usercan see all available information, if and when needed. Bear in mind, oneuse of card 100 is to emulate all hard cards, front and back, firstthrough scanning face to face, then, by way of the display.

FIGS. 20-23 show an exemplary embodiment of a card 100 j that interfaceswith a legacy reader while in a fixed position. As described hereinabovewith respect to card 100 and previously discussed variations of card100, card 100 j includes light detecting pixel elements 148 andmagnetic-out pixels 113. By implementing a legacy stripe emulationmodule and a legacy stripe emulation process, card 100 j is able tointerface with a legacy card reader while remaining in a fixed position.Because card 100 j is able to obtain data from many sources, such asRFID, optical, magnetic, piezoelectric, etc., card 100 j is able toprepare and/or convert this data to a form that can be read by a legacycard reader 212.

Referring to FIG. 22 , a legacy stripe emulation module is shown andindicated generally at 280, which is compatible with the card readersshown in FIGS. 13-15 . Legacy stripe emulation module 280 includes asensor data module 282, a sensor data analysis module 284, a magnetichead zone module 286, a data preparation module 288, and a datatransmission module 290. Legacy stripe emulation module 280 may bepartially positioned or located in processor 110, magnetic-out layer 190a and/or 190 b, or other suitable places in card 100. Legacy stripeemulation module 280 may receive an initiate legacy reader interfacesignal, causing sensor data module 282 to begin operating. The initiatelegacy reader interface signal may be a signal from a module (not shown)in processor 110 that periodically causes legacy stripe emulation module280 to function and seek out or recognize a legacy card reader such aslegacy card reader 1200, or a user may select a legacy card readerfunction of card 100, which then transmits the initiate legacy readerinterface signal to sensor data module 282.

Once sensor data module 282 receives the initiate legacy readerinterface signal, sensor data module 282 begins accepting data from thevarious sensor pixel element types positioned in card 100, for examplelight detecting pixel elements 148 shown in, e.g., FIG. 7B, though othersensor inputs may also be used. Data received from one or more pixelelement types is configured to be analyzed, and then transmitted tosensor data analysis module 284. Sensor data analysis module 284analyzes the data received from sensor data module 282, seeking amagnetic read head, such as magnetic read head 1212. Sensor dataanalysis module 284 continues seeking the magnetic read head eitheruntil the user of card 100 stops operation of legacy stripe emulationmodule 280, until a predetermined time interval has passed withoutfinding the magnetic read head, or until the magnetic read head islocated. Once the magnetic read head is identified from received sensordata, the location of the magnetic read head, which may be in terms ofcoordinates with respect to various pixel elements on card 100, istransmitted to magnetic head zone module 286. Magnetic head zone module286 uses the location information provided by sensor data analysismodule 284 to define a zone of magnetic-out pixel layer 190 a or 190 bof card 100 to be an interface location or pixel actuation zone forcommunication between card 100 and the magnetic read head. Once theinterface location or pixel actuation zone is defined, magnetic headzone module 286 transmits a signal to data preparation module 288 thatsensor data to be transmitted to the legacy card reader may be received.Data preparation module 288 receives sensor data from one or moresensors on card 100, such as RFID data, optical data from lightdetecting pixel layer 186 a or 186 b, aural data from piezoelectric-inpixel layer 194 a or 194 b, etc., and translates or prepares thereceived data to be transmitted to magnetic-out pixels 109 located inthe interface location or pixel actuation zone. The data to betransmitted to the magnetic read head is then passed to datatransmission module 290, where the data is converted to magnetic datafor transmission to the magnetic read head.

Referring to FIG. 23 , a legacy stripe emulation process is shown andgenerally indicated at 300. Legacy stripe emulation process 300 may belocated in one or more portions of card 100 shown in FIG. 2 , and may bedistributed at least partially in one or more of the modules of legacystripe emulation module 280 shown in FIG. 22 . Legacy stripe emulationprocess 300 begins with a start process 302, where processor 110 setsany required values and registers for the remainder of process 300.Process 300 then moves from start process 302 to a receive sensor dataprocess 304. In process 304, optical data from first light detectionunit 126 and second light detection unit 128 is provided to sensor datamodule 282, which may include a processor of card 100, such as processor110. Process 300 then moves from receive sensor data process 304 to amagnetic read head definition process 306. In magnetic read head process306, sensor data analysis module 284, which may include processor 110,uses the information acquired during process 304 to define or find theposition of a magnetic read head of the legacy card reader. Once theposition of the magnetic read head has been identified, process 300moves from magnetic read head definition process 306 to a define pixelactuation zone process 308. In process 308, using the position of themagnetic read head, magnetic head zone module, including processor 110,defines a magnetic-out pixel actuation zone 320. Process 300 then movesfrom define pixel actuation zone process 308 to a receive data process310. In receive data process, one or more sensor layers receive oracquire data from one or more sources, such as an RFID source, anoptical source, or other source that card 100 j has the sensors todetect. Once data is received, legacy strip emulation process 300 passescontrol from receive data process 310 to a prepare data process 312,where data to be sent to the magnetic read head is prepared fortransmission by data preparation module 288. From prepare data process312, process 300 moves to an actuate pixel zone process 314, where eachitem of data is transmitted to magnetic-out pixel actuation zone 320,programming zone 320 for each data item, which is performed by datatransmission module 290. FIG. 21 shows a stylized sequence ofmagnetic-out pixel actuation zone 320, with 320 a, 320 b, 320 c, 320 d,320 e, and 320 f representing programming of magnetic-out pixelactuation zone 320 with sequential data elements or items that canrepresent numbers, letters, characters, etc. Because of the speed ofactuation of pixel actuation zone 320, which is in a fixed or staticlocation on card 100 j, a legacy reader treats card 100 j as though itis moving, though it is positioned in a fixed relationship with thelegacy card reader in this embodiment. Once all the data has beentransmitted through pixel actuation zone 320, process 300 moves fromactuate pixel zone process 314 to an end process 316, which representsthe end of data transmission through actuate pixel zone process 314.Because of the strength of the magnetic read head of a legacy cardreader, card 100 can be positioned to detect a feedback from the legacycard reader with respect to whether the transmission was properlyreceived by the legacy card reader. If the signal was not received, oran error occurred, processor 110, by using the pixel layers describedherein, can be configured to automatically transmit the same data streamagain automatically without intervention by an operator, or processor110 can prompt the operator through a visual or aural output, such asfrom light emitting pixel layer 198 or piezoelectric-out pixel layer 196a or 196 b, that the transmission failed so that the operator canauthorize a re-transmission or other action. As noted hereinabove, suchtransmission of magnetic data may also be automatic at a plurality oflevels, such as low, medium, and high with respect to the intensityexpected by the magnetic read head, and the information may be repeatedin a first direction and a second direction. As noted hereinabove, thevalue of such a process is to accommodate variations between magneticread heads, including wear and tear on the magnetic read head.

An embodiment of card 100 and system 1 allows for automated access tothe contents of servers on networks by way of mining data related to anitem (e.g., goods, services, rentals, or other item associated with afinancial transaction) in a pending purchase of or an item the user maybe considering in the process of purchasing, via communications unit 118and network 210, and rather than only taking information from server200, can provide information to server 200 to be added to previousinformation, redirect the information to another end point on network210, or just redirect information from one place to another with theassistance of server 200. The ability to access data, as well as providedata, dynamically serves to allow the user to traverse one or morevenues over time, shop for items and scan them in, updating server 200so the processing of transactions and gathering of any perks, discounts,and coupons can happen automatically, just as the tabulation of the billof sale and payment methods are being processed in server 200, such thatwhen the user arrives at the venue exit for final checkout, thepreprocessed bill of sale and all transactions intended as one mastertransaction can be presented as completed. The tabulation can occur withno perceived delay for the user, or other patrons waiting in a cue(e.g., in a line behind the user). Although card 100 itself may onlyhave memory capacity of x, this method permits capacities far greaterthan x, even to the extent of 1 million times x and exponentiallygreater still, to be accessed, directed, and controlled by the card 100.In a sense, card 100 can serve as a highly advanced memory stick with analmost unlimited storage capacity, i.e., limited only by storagecapacity available to card 100 at server 200, for example, in database250 and service backing card 100.

With the permission of the user of card 100, card 100 also provides datamining capabilities for venues, producers, etc. This information, whichis limited to specific information selectable by a user, such asshopping patterns, use of offers, specific items purchased, venuesvisited, shopping-related research, etc., can be sold or provided toparticipating venues, producers, etc., in exchange for a consumerbenefit, such as points, coupons, special sales, advanced notificationof sales, additional discounts, etc.

Card 100 also provides payment options based on venue. For example, ifthe user of card 100 typically uses a particular form of payment in aparticular venue, then card 100 may consider that form of payment thedefault, though card 100 can provide the user the opportunity to acceptthe implied default card prior to performing the payment. The user ofcard 100 can also pre-identify forms of payment for a particular venue.For example, the user can establish payment method 1 for venue A,payment method 2 for venue B, a combination of payment method 3 andpayment method 4 for venue C with a ratio between payment method 3 andpayment method 4, etc. In another example, the user can establishpayment method 1 for all food related purchases, payment method 2 forhousehold items, payment method 3 for office supplies, etc. Theseexamples present but two of the unlimited possibilities for establishingrelationships between payment methods and venues, and such relationshipscan be established to be automatic so that payment is presented withoutfurther action by the user at checkout, or the user may be queried bycard 100 to verify that the established form of payment is the desiredform of payment.

In an exemplary transaction application, card 100 is used to scan anitem, to identify the item, and to communicate with server 200. Thevalue analyzing unit 232 of server 200 can: (1) alert the user that anonline venue has a better price or other better value for the itemcompared with the current venue and can facilitate a purchase at theonline venue; (2) alert the user that the item is available at a lowerprice at another location, for example, a location near the user'slocation using location information from location unit 144; or (3)determine whether the item price is an acceptable price, as determinedby value analyzing unit 232, and the user decides to keep the item or toput back on shelf (a second scan or other action on the card can updatethe “put back” status). This process can be repeated for every item theuser considers using card 100, and items scanned and not “put back”remain in the user's cart (which can be a real or virtual cart). Card100 keeps a list of each kept item (i.e., in the cart) and card 100forwards the list to server 200 via value analyzing unit 232. Untilcheckout, value analyzing unit 232 can continue to search for allavailable perks related to each kept item. At checkout, card 100 passesthe list of kept items to the venue's POS system electronically,although server 200 can pass all items in the cart to the POS system vianetwork 210. In an automated embodiment, server 200 forwards the listand all gathered related perks to the POS system, and the POS systemresolves the perks with the prices and charges the users account. Inanother embodiment, the POS system can handle some or all the functionscarried out by server 200. In a legacy system or system that does notparticipate in the automatic checkout and resolution of perks, card 100can present images to the user of bar codes for coupons or similar itemsthat the user can redeem at the POS system. At the time of payment orprior to that time, value analyzing unit 232 or transaction/ID/accesscard management unit 234 can automatically select a payment method cardstored within card 100, which the user can select via display gesturerecognition, described in more detail hereinbelow, and thereafter card100 card displays the selected payment card, or the last used paymentcard can be displayed (for example, according to preferences), and card100 also displays magnetic out data related to the selected paymentmethod.

The user can close, or complete the transaction card by swiping card 100having the selected and displayed payment method and providing asignature. As a part of finishing the transaction, a receipt may bestored on card 100 for later reference or archiving in server 200, apersonal computer, personal external storage, the cloud, or othersuitable storage locations. Other information may be associated withfinishing the transaction, such as store date and time of thetransaction, whether there is an associated price protection orguaranteed low price, etc.

Post-transaction, value analyzing unit 232 can have selected, for,example, XXXCreditCorp, which agreed to terms associated with use ofcard 100. Server 200 can, post-transaction, re-address the transactionto: re-pay for each item differently or even pay for one individual itemwith multiple payment methods based on the information intransaction/ID/access card management unit 234 related to the cardsstored therein; apply coupons or other perks used to a limited date as aprice protection guarantee; apply for rebates; provide informationrelated to, and secure extended warranty; and other post-transactionconditions included with the agreement. Post-transaction actions can bepreference-based, or preset by system 1. “Best value” herein is used toindicate, but is not limited to, discounts from coupons, reduction inprices from specials, promotions, giveaways, etc. “Best value” my bedefined by the user of card 100 and can further include other factors,such as buy-one get-one (BOGO), free shipping, extended warranties,rebates, frequent flyer miles, discounts on future purchases, gaspoints, etc.

Many capabilities and other aspects of user card 100 and system 1 of thepresent disclosure are described in terms of sequences of actions to beperformed by a processor or controller, which can be elements of acomputer system or other hardware capable of executing programmedinstructions, for example, a general purpose computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a special purpose computer, a workstation, a personalcommunications system (PCS), a mobile (cellular) telephone, a mobiletelephone with data processing capability, an RFID receiver, a gamingconsole, an electronic notepad, a laptop computer, a global positioningsystem (GPS) receiver, or other programmable data processing apparatus.It will be recognized that in each of the embodiments, the variousactions could be performed by specialized circuits (e.g., discrete logicgates interconnected to perform a specialized function), by programinstructions (software), such as logical blocks, program modules etc.being executed by one or more processors (e.g., one or moremicroprocessor, micro-controllers, a central processing unit (CPU),application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), and other devices designed to perform the functions describedherein, and/or by a combination of any of the above. For example,embodiments can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware,middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. The instructions canbe program code or code segments that perform necessary tasks and can bestored in a non-transitory machine-readable medium such as a storagemedium or other storage(s). A code segment may represent a procedure, afunction, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, asoftware package, a class, or any combination of instructions, datastructures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled toanother code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receivinginformation, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

Circuitry and other hardware of communications unit 118 of card 100,such as a transmitter, receiver, transmitting unit, receiving unit,transceiver etc. can provide functionality, for example, through the useof various wireless communication networks such as a WWAN, a WLAN, aWPAN, and so on. The terms network and system are often usedinterchangeably herein. A WWAN may be a CDMA network, a TDMA network, aFDMA network, an OFDMA network, a SC-FDMA network, and so on. A CDMAnetwork may implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs) suchas CDMA2000, Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA), and so on. CDMA2000 includes IS-95,IS-2000, and IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement GSM, DigitalAdvanced Phone System (D-AMPS), or some other RAT. GSM and W-CDMA aredescribed in documents from a consortium named “3rd GenerationPartnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 is described in documents from aconsortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). A WLANmay be an IEEE 802.11x network, a WPAN may be a Bluetooth network, anIEEE 802.15x, or some other type of network, the CDMA may be implementedas a radio technology such as universal terrestrial radio access (UTRA)or CDMA2000, the TDMA may be implemented as a radio technology such as aGSM/general packet radio service (GPRS)/enhanced data rates for GSMevolution (EDGE). The OFDMA may be implemented by a radio technologysuch as institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11(Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, E-UTRA (evolved UTRA), andthe like. The techniques may also be used for any combination of WWAN,WLAN and/or WPAN. The techniques may be implemented for use with anUltra Mobile Broadband (UMB) network, a High Rate Packet Data (HRPD)network, a CDMA2000 1× network, GSM, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and/orthe like.

In an exemplary embodiment, QED (Quantum Entanglement Device) can beintroduced to intermix quantum computing and quantum communicationswithin system 1 and card 100, which adds to the security of system 1 andcard 100. At some point, it will be feasible to equip one side of card100, both sides of card 100, and/or all surfaces of card 100 with QEDgenerating and detecting pixels. At the point where point of salesystems incorporate QED capabilities and when a public quantumentanglement network is established, all of the various methods andcapabilities of system 1 and card 100 will be enhanced to the extentthat communications will become utterly secure. In an exemplaryembodiment, items to be scanned, which can include tangible items suchas another card 100 or an item in a store or intangibles, such as aservice agreement or web site, can include quantum entangled particleswhich can be photons, electrons, or other particles which are mated to aknown entangled particle stored in a quantum entangled trap. With thisevolution an item marked with a quantum entangled particle can beidentified as to its authenticity, its history, and down to the uniqueinstance of that item.

As used herein, the term “memory” refers to any type of non-transitorymachine-readable medium, whether long term, short term, volatile,nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to any particulartype of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memoryis stored. Memory described herein, such as system memory 114 anddatabase 250, can additionally be considered to be embodied within anytangible form of computer readable carrier, such as solid-state memory,magnetic disk, and optical disk containing an appropriate set ofcomputer instructions, such as program modules, and data structures thatwould cause a processor to carry out the processes described herein. Acomputer-readable medium may include the following: an electricalconnection having one or more wires, magnetic disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape or other magnetic and optical storage devices(e.g., compact disc (CD), laser disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk and Blu-Ray™ disc), a portable computer diskette, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), or any othertangible medium capable of storing information and combinations of theabove. Memory can also include buffer memory that holds transmissiondata to be transmitted by the transmitter of communications unit 118until the data is transmitted and/or data received by the receiver ofthe communications unit 118 until the received data can be processed.Although FIG. 2 shows memory 114 as separate or external to processor orcontroller 110, memory may be implemented within processor or controller110 or another processing unit.

In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 has a credit card form factor,size, shape and thickness of a standard swipe card and processor 110 ispreferably a microprocessor or microcontroller chip that manages filesstored in memory 114 assigned to the card applications via a cardoperating system (COS), and memory for carrying out these functions ispreferably a combination of nonvolatile (e.g., EEPROM or flash) andvolatile (e.g., ROM) solid state devices, each of which is configured tobe non-transitory. In an exemplary embodiment, the type of COS used incard 100 is a dynamic application card operating system that enablesdevelopers to build, test, and deploy a variety of card applicationssecurely. Card memory also includes at least one programmable magneticstripe that stores information magnetically.

It should be noted that the system of the present disclosure isillustrated and discussed herein as having various modules and/or unitswhich perform particular functions. It should be understood that thesemodules and units are merely schematically illustrated based on theirfunction for clarity purposes, and do not necessarily represent specifichardware and/or software. In this regard, these modules, units and othercomponents may be hardware and/or software implemented to substantiallyperform their particular functions explained herein. The variousfunctions of the different components can be combined or segregated ashardware and/or software modules in any manner, and can be usefulseparately or in combination. Thus, the various aspects of thedisclosure may be embodied in many different forms, and all such formsare contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a timing diagram showing timing and synchronization betweentwo or more devices where at least one device is a venue processor andanother device is similar to card 100. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 19 having two cards a Card1 and a Card2, at least some data must berelayed through the processor of an intermediate card, such as a Card2processor, and acknowledgement, timing, or other data may also pass in adirection at times opposite the direction of data transfer. Card2 maybelong to, for example, a cashier, manager, or other individualassociated with a transaction, and Card1 may belong to an end userpurchasing a product or service. The external processor documents thetransaction and the net amount due to the venue or from the venue to orfrom a user and/or an intermediate party. Processor latencies areapproximately illustrated for a system which may include multiple cardsand/or an external processor. The latency and processing time for thePOS is reduced, as may be appreciated by considering the timing diagramshown in FIG. 19 in which p1 and p2 are data from Card1 and Card2, and Eis available processor time for data collection. The external processorprovides timing or clocking information to the processors of Card1 andCard2, which change their clocking from a free-running mode to asynchronization mode, where data is transferred from the memory orprocessors of Card1 and Card2 when the external processor is ready toreceive data, decreasing the time for data to transfer from Card1 orCard2 since data transfer is provided at the moment that the externalprocessor is ready to receive data. Though a plurality of cards is shownin FIG. 19 , the external processor may also interface with a singlecard or more than two cards.

As noted hereinabove, card 100 may include an RFID, or Radio FrequencyIDentification, receiver. Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25 , a card 100 kincludes an RFID receiver module or assembly 1350, which in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 is positioned at the samedepth or level as a card substrate 1352. The various layers of card 100k adjacent to RFID receiver module 1350 and substrate 1352 may besimilar to the layers shown in, for example, FIG. 7B or 8B. In contrastto FIG. 7B, light detecting layers 186A and 186B may be positioned,placed, or deposited on both substrate 1352 and RFID receiver module1350. An intermediate layer (not shown) may also be placed or positionedbetween RFID receiver module 1350 and light detecting layer 186A andbetween RFID receiver module 1350 and light detecting layer 186B. Whilethe exemplary embodiment shows an RFID module or assembly 1350positioned alongside, next to, adjacent to, or coplanar with substrate1352, in other embodiments the components of an RFID receiver may beplaced in or on substrate 1352 or other equivalent substrates.

Card 100 k further includes at least one RFID antenna 1354 connected toRFID receiver 1350, and positioned on, or adjacent to a peripheralsurface or edge 1356 of card 100 k positioned between first majorsurface 101 and second major surface 102 of card 100 k. Edge 1356 mayinclude an end portion of cover structures or covers 174 a and 174 b, anend portion of RFID receiver module 1350, and/or a peripheral surface ofcard substrate 1352. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 ,RFID antenna 1354 extends alongside peripheral surface 1356 in parallelto first major surface 101 and second major surface 102, and may extendentirely around edge 1356 (as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG.24 ), generally in parallel to first major surface 101 and second majorsurface 102, though RFID antenna 1354 can be positioned elsewhere oncard 100 k. For example, because antenna 1354 is relatively thin,antenna 1354 may extend across first major surface 101 and/or secondmajor surface 102. RFID antenna 1354 may be positioned in otheravailable locations in card 100 k, limited only by the proximity topixels or elements of card 100 k that might interfere with the abilityof antenna 1354 to receive RF energy.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27 , a card 100 m includes an RFID receiver1360 positioned on a card substrate 1362. Card 100 m further includes anRFID antenna 1364 positioned as on or in a first cover structure 1366 aand a second cover structure 1366 b. Card substrate 1362 may include oneor more connector pins 1368 embedded in card substrate 1362 andextending perpendicularly first major surface 101 and second majorsurface 102 to connect RFID receiver 1360 and RFID antenna 1364 to eachother. First cover structure 1366 a and/or second cover structure 1366 bincludes a connector receptacle 1370 electrically connected to RFIDantenna 1364 and configured to receive connector pin 1368. An RFIDconnecting line 1372 extends from RFID receiver 1360 to each connectorpin 1368. To read an RFID tag using internal energy of card 100 m, RFIDreceiver 1360 transmits a signal into RFID connecting line 1372. Theenergy travels into connector pin 1368 and then into connectorreceptacle 1370. From connector receptacle 1370, the energy travels intoRFID antenna 1364, where the RF energy is transmitted from card 100 m.The RF energy activates any nearby RFID tags, which then emit RF energycontaining information about an item on which the RFID tag is placed, orabout a location of the RFID tag. The amount of information provided byan RFID tag can be sufficient to provide a unique identification of theproduct on which the tag is placed or located, including the packagingof the product. The energy transmitted by the RFID tag is received byRFID antenna 1364, which is directed into connector receptacle 1370 andthen into connector pin 1368. The energy then travels along RFIDconnecting line 1372 to RFID receiver 1360, which decodes the receivedenergy and transmits the decoded information to processor 110. Processor110 then uses the RFID information to provide the user of card 100 mwith information. The operation of RFID receiver module 1350 is similarto the operation of RFID receiver 1360.

While operation of RFID receiver 1360 and RFID receiver module 1350 mayuse internal power to activate a near field communication RFID tag, avenue containing such tags may also provide a network of transmittersthat constantly actuate RFID tags positioned in the venue, causing theRFID tags to constantly emit digital RF signals, which card 100 m isable to receive. The benefit of such a system is that the venue can usethe information transmitted from the RFID tags for inventory, mapping,and other purposes, while the holder or user of card 100 m is able touse the information to locate products, determine whether an item is instock, etc., while minimizing the drain of usage of power from card 100m, extending the useful operating time of card 100 m.

While the present disclosure provides two embodiments of RFID receivers,i.e., RFID receiver 1360 and RFID receiver module 1350, the position ofRFID receivers can be adapted to any available location in the cardform. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, the RFID receivermay be positioned among the other layers of the card, for example,between light detecting layer 186 a and magnetic-out layer 190 a.Similarly, the position of RFID antenna 1354 or RFID antenna 1364 may bein other locations than those shown in FIGS. 24-27 , limited only by theneeds of the various layers in the card.

Including RFID capability in card 100 provides a variety of advantagesto the user of card 100. For example, card 100 can become an RFIDinterface with a legacy card reader or other non-RFID receiving devices.In view of the ability of a card to be able to emulate swiping withoutmovement, described hereinabove, placing a card equipped with an RFIDreceiver enables communication with, for example, legacy card reader1200 (see FIG. 13 ). After inserting card 100 m into legacy card reader1200, any RFID tag equipped item may be positioned within readingdistance of card 100 m, and card 100 m can convert the RFID informationto magnetic information readable by legacy card reader 1200. In anotherexample, card 100 m can be positioned on POS card reader 1300 (FIG. 14). As with the previous example, an item equipped with an RFID tag canbe positioned proximate to card 100 m, and card 100 m will convertinformation received from the RFID tag into a form that is readable byPOS card reader 1300. Thus, card 100 m, or any version of card 100equipped with an RFID receiver, is capable of being a low-cost datatranslator between two or more types of data storage devices, includingRFID, bar code, Qr code, magnetic read heads, aural or audio, andvisual. Furthermore, since card 100 includes Wi Fi capability, card 100m also becomes a low-cost interface with Wi Fi equipped devices, such ascell phones, tablets, computers, netbooks, and potentially smartdisplays, smart televisions, etc.

FIG. 28 show a card 100 n in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure including a plurality of RFID receivers 1380,shown with phantom lines. The benefit to a plurality of RFID receivers1380 is that card 100 n can use the plurality of RFID receivers 1380 totrack objects having an RFID tag, including determining more preciselythe position of such an object, the speed of the object, if moving, andthe acceleration of the object, if any. Furthermore, like card 100, card100 n includes the capability of tracking by visual analysis and alsohas tracking capability using sound emission and reception. In order toavoid causing aural distress to the user of card 100 n and variations ofcard 100, or to persons around the user of card 100 n, such soundemission can be in an ultrasonic frequency. Just as card 100 is capableof performing image analysis, card 100 n is also capable of analyzingreflected sound and, depending on the need, card 100 n can havesufficient resolution to track and analyze objects in the field of viewof card 100 n and with sufficient resolution, card 100 n can even havethe capability to perform shallow depth sonograms. Thus, card 100 andcard 100 n provide a relatively simple and effective sensor that isreadily adaptable to a Wi Fi network for ad hoc or permanent securitysystems. In addition, given the capability of card 100 n and otherversions of card 100 to identify speed, acceleration, and position usingvarious sensors, card 100 n also has a capability to be used as a testinstrument. Given the capability of card 100 n and other versions ofcard 100 to correlate inputs of various sensors to each other, card 100n has the capability to cross-check results and improve the accuracy ofcalculation of speed, acceleration, and position by correlation ofoptical, sound, and RFID information.

The ability to read RFID information presents many benefits to card 100.Referring to FIGS. 29-31 , an implementation of card 100 having RFIDcapability is described using an RFID localization system of a venue400. Venue 400 includes at least one entrance 402, a plurality ofshelves, racks, end unit displays, coolers, freezers, aisle displays,etc. 404, a plurality of smart store stations 406, a plurality ofcheckout stations 408, and a plurality of Wi Fi/RFIDtransmitters-receivers 410 that proffer RFID localization capability.Venue 400 includes a controller 460 connected, either by wire orwirelessly, to at least smart store stations 406, checkout stations 408,and Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410. Wi Fi/RFIDtransmitters-receivers 410 are positioned throughout venue 400 andprovide sufficient energy to activate RFID tags (not shown) positionedon shelves, racks, etc. 404 in all locations within venue 400. At leastsome Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410 include a Wi Fi transceiver,though all Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410 may include a Wi-Fitransceiver, or Wi-Fi transceivers may be located separately from theRFID transmitters-receivers. Venue 400 further includes a plurality ofitems 412 positioned on one or more shelves, racks, etc., 404.

The venue system includes a location of all items 412, which may beentered manually in the store system, but which is preferably defined bya plurality of RFID tags positioned either on or adjacent to items 412.Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410 continuously receive data fromRFID tags associated with each item 412, and thus the venue system“knows” the location of all items 412 in venue 400. In some cases, theRFID tag may be placed on each individual item 412, but in otherembodiments, the RFID tag may be placed on or under a shelf to indicateeither a product brand and type or a general category of product, suchas peanut butter, a specific brand cereal, and a particular type of thebrand, since there are numerous types and varieties of many brands, orother categories deemed appropriate by the management of venue 400. Thesystem of venue 400 acquires the locations of each RFID tag by way ofsignals received by Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410, which arepositioned in locations throughout venue 400 in sufficient density toassure that all RFID tags provided in venue 400 receive sufficient powerfrom Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410 to operate. And be receivedby at least three RFID transmitters-receivers to be able to map thelocations of each RFID tag.

In order to find items in venue 400, a user of card 100 engages a venueinterface module, shown in FIG. 30 and generally indicated at 330. Venueinterface module 330 uses features and capabilities of venue 400 incombination with the capabilities of card 100 to create an efficientinterface with venue 400. Venue interface module 330 includes a shoppinglist module 332, a venue interface module 334, a mapping module 336, anitem module 338, and a check out module 340. The functions and processesof venue interface module 330 may include portions of venue 400 and card100, such as processor 110 and one or more sensor or pixel layers ofcard 100.

Venue interface module 330 is initiated by a need to go shopping. Inshopping list module 332, a shopping list is created in card 100. Theshopping list may be entered into memory 114 of card 100 by the user, ormay be downloaded into memory 114 of card 100 from another device, suchas a cell phone, laptop, or other device. Once the shopping list iscreated, the shopping list is provided to venue interface module 334. Invenue interface module 334, processor 110 of card 100 combines shoppinglist information with information provided by venue 400, which caninclude location information, pricing, coupons, special deals, rebates,etc. The shopping list and venue information is provided to mappingmodule 336 by venue interface module 334. In mapping module 336, a routeto each item 412 on the list is determined. Such determination may takeplace in processor 110, or may be determined in a venue 400 processor460 and then transmitted to card 100. Once a route to each item 412 isdetermined, venue interface module 330 continues with an item module338, where each item 412 is located and added to the user's physicalcart or container.

Once all items 412 from the user's shopping list have been located,control passes from item module 338 to check out module 340. In checkout module 340, the items selected by the user are verified, payment foritems 412 is made, and the user exits venue 400.

Referring to FIG. 31 , in order to find items in venue 400, a user ofcard 100 engages a venue interface process 420, which uses features andcapabilities of venue 400 in combination with the capabilities of card100, including processor 110, memory 114, and one or more pixel layers,to create an efficient interface with venue 400. Such an interface maybe acquiring items 412, i.e., shopping, or it may be merely browsingitems 412. Venue interface process 420 is adaptable to include otherfunctions at venue 400, such as returning an item 412, visiting aservice function of venue 400, such as a vending machine or a foodcourt, finding a restroom, and other functions available to the user orthe public at venue 400. Venue interface process 420 may includefunctions and features of portions of venue 400 and card 100, and may bedistributed over one or more portions of venue interface module 330.

Venue interface process 420 begins with a start process 422. Startprocess 422 may be recognition that an item is needed. Process 420 movescontrol from start process 422 to a create list process 424, which isconducted in shopping list module 332. In create list process 424, theuser creates a list of needed and/or wanted items. Such a list may becreated by scanning items in the user's home, or may be enteredmanually, by voice, selecting from a list of suggestions, etc.

After creation of a list of needs and/or wants, process 420 movescontrol from create list process 424 to an interface with venue systemprocess 426, as a part of venue interface module 334. In interface withvenue system process 426, the user travels to venue 400, entering byentrance 402. Once in venue 400, features of the user's card 100, suchas Wi FI, communicates with a local area net provided by venue 400. Suchcommunication may be wirelessly or may be by way of smart store stations406. Smart store stations 406 provide a docking station, which may havefeatures similar to card reader 1300 that enable smart store stations406 to communicate with card 100 by way of, for example, light detectinglayer 186 a or 186 b, magnetic-in layer 192 a or 192 b, orpiezoelectric-in layer 194 a or 194 b.

Once interfaced with smart store stations 406, process 420 moves controlfrom interface with venue system process 426 to an item mapping process428, performed by mapping module 336.

The system of venue 400 includes the location of each item 412, or eachcategory of item that includes 412, which is determined by RFID tagsassociated with each item 412, described hereinabove. These locationsare used in conjunction with the list of needed or wanted items 412located in card 100 to map a route, considering the location of shelves,racks, etc. 404. Such mapping is preferably performed in the system ofvenue 400, since the detailed information exists in the system of venue400. However, a processor of card 100, such as processor 110, is capableof generating such maps as well. Furthermore, since card 100 includesfeatures capable of communicating with the venue's Wi Fi/RFIDtransmitters-receivers 410, processor 110 of card 100 is also capable ofacquiring new map information as needed, though data transfer from smartstore stations 406 to one or more sensor or pixel layers of card 100 istypically faster for reasons explained hereinabove. The route used totraverse from smart store stations 406 to each item 412 may be modifiedby user-selected options. For example, the user may select the fastestroute, the shortest route, the least congested route, which may bedefined by store experience, optical analysis, and other routemodifications. If the user does not select any route modifications, thesystem of venue 400 is configured to provide deviations to the user'sroute that causes the user to travel by featured products, potentiallyproviding the user with awareness and the venue with expanded productexposure and sales. Once the map is generated by the system of venue400, the map information is downloaded into memory 114 or processor 110of card 100.

Once the map or other directions are provided to memory 114 or processor110 of card 100, process 420 moves control from item mapping process 428to a list item selection process 430, which is part of item module 338.In list item selection process 430, in view of the information providedby item mapping process 428, the “first” item on the user's list asrepresented by the map generated by item mapping process 428 isselected. It should be apparent that the “first” item 412 may be thefurthest item 412 from the user's present location, it may be theclosest item 412, or it may be between the closest and furthest items412, because item mapping process 428 identifies a route based onmultiple factors, including the user's preferences and modificationsprovided by venue 400.

After selection of an item 412 from the list, process 420 moves controlfrom list item selection process 430 to a venue system process 432.Venue 400 may provide sales, coupons, generic products, discounts,alternatives, featured products, etc., for any specific item 412. Thisinformation may be provided to processor 110 of card 100 during itemmapping process 428 and accessed during venue system process 432, orprocessor 110 of card 100 may communicate with Wi Fi/RFIDtransmitters-receivers 410 and receive information from the venue systemvia Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410 as each item 412 is chosen.The user determines from the information provided by venue 400 whetherto choose one of the presented options.

Once venue 400 has communicated available options for a specific item412 and the user determines whether any of the presented options isacceptable, process 420 moves control from venue system process 432 toan item option decision process 434. In item option decision process434, process 420 determines whether the user has selected any of theoptions presented in venue system process 432. If the user was unable tofind a desirable option, or the user decides not to purchase the itemfrom the list, control passes from item decision process 434 to a removeitem process 436. In remove item process 436, the present item from thelist may be deleted, or may be moved to a pending or future list,depending on options chosen by the user, which may be selected eitherduring remove item process 436 or prior to remove item process 436. Fromremove item process 436, control passes to a list completion decisionprocess 448, discussed in more detail hereinbelow. If the user was ableto find a desirable option, control passes from item option decision 434to a guide user process 438.

In guide user process 438, processor 110 of card 100 provides outputs,such as display outputs from light emitting pixel layer 198 or auralsignals from piezoelectric-out layer 196 a or 196 b, to guide the userto the current item from the user's list, stored in memory 114 of card100. Such directions may be enhanced by communication between RFreceivers in card 100 and Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410, whichuses such communication in location unit 144 to determine the positionof card 100 with respect to the item 412 being sought. Location unit 144may use multiple sensors to determine the location or position of card100 with respect to a specific item 412, depending on the ability ofsuch sensors to function in venue 400. For example, a GPS function oflocation unit 144 of card 100 may be operative in venue 400, and canprovide relatively precise directions to a specific item 412. Becausevenue 400 has a plurality of Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410placed to assure coverage throughout the entirety of venue 400, theposition of card 100 can be determined with sufficient accuracy withrespect to a specific item 412 to provide accurate directions.Directions or instructions to the user may be presented as a visual twodimensional or three dimensional map on light emitting pixel layer 198 aor 198 b of card 100, as direction arrows displayed on light emittingpixel layer 198 a or 198 b of card 100, as directions such as left,right, forward, back, up and down (to provide a location on one or morevertically-extending shelves), as directions and distances, or othersystems for displaying directions. Directions may also be providedaudibly, via voice or tones. Once the user reaches the proximity of aspecific item 412, card 100 is able to use its RFID capability, such asthat provided by RFID receiver 1360, RFID receiver module 1350, or otherRFID device, to further refine the location of the RFID tag, whichprovides the closest location to a specific item 412 that the system ofvenue 400 is able to provide.

Once the user reaches the location of a specific item 412, controlpasses from guide user process 438 to a collect item process 440. Incollect item process 440, the user physically moves a specific item 412from a venue location, such as shelves, racks, etc. 404, to the user'sphysical cart, basket, arms, hands, or other carrying device orlocation. As the user moves specific item 412 from the venue location tothe user's carrying device or location, the user can scan the bar codeor Qr code on the item with card 100, which moves control from collectitem process 440 to an item details process 442, which automaticallyadds various details of specific item 412, such as a brief descriptionand potential coupons, specials, availability of extended warranty,etc., to a running checkout list located in memory 114 or processor 110of card 100, along with the total amount of items selected and addedtaxes so that the user can maintain awareness of the total amountexpected at checkout. Once item details process 442 is complete, controlpasses from item details process 442 to a check item off process 444.

In check item off process 444, specific item 412 that was selected ismarked as purchased, or removed from the list of items to purchase,stored in memory 114 or processor 110 of card 100. Control then movesfrom check item off process 444 to an enter browse mode decision process446. As the user selects each item from the list stored in card 100, theuser may decide to seek an item not on the list, and thus desires toenter a browse mode. In the browse mode, the user can enter a new item412 to seek, holding the list stored in card 100 in abeyance. Venueinterface process 420 continues to remain in browse mode until the userselects to exit browse mode, or until the user stops venue interfaceprocess 420, which the user may do at any time.

Once the user decides to exit the browse mode, control passes from enterbrowse mode decision process 446 to list complete decision process 448.In list complete decision process 448, venue interface process 420determines whether the last item on the list has been reached byreferring to the list stored in memory 114 or processor 110 of card 100.If the last item on the list has not been reached, control passes fromlist complete decision process 448 to list item selection process 430,and venue interface process 420 continues as described hereinabove. Ifthe last item on the list stored in card 100 has been reached, controlpasses from list compete decision process 448 to a guide user to exitprocess 450.

In guide user to exit process 450, located in check out module 340,venue interface process 420 uses information provided by the system ofvenue interface process 420 to guide the user to checkout stations 408of venue 400. Typically, such directions will be the shortest route fromthe user's present location to checkout stations 408, though thedirections may select another route depending on conditions in venue 400or user preferences.

Once at the area of checkout stations 408, control passes from guide toexit process 450 to a checkout process 452. In checkout process 452,personnel or systems of venue 400 verify that the items collected orgathered by the user match the list stored by card 100. Suchverification may be by scanning of RFID tags of items carried by theuser, scanning of bar codes or Qr codes, or by other verificationmethods. If the items gathered or collected by the user and presented atcheckout stations 408 match the list provided by outputs of card 100,which may be an RF or Wi Fi output, an optical output from lightemitting pixel layer 198 a or 198 b, or other data communication outputfrom the pixel layers of card 100, then checkout process 452 is completeand control passes from checkout process 452 to a payment process 454,where the user of card 100 selects a payment method, which may includeone or more credit cards or other payment channels stored in memory 114of card 100 and described hereinabove. After payment is provided tovenue 400, control passes from payment process 454 to an end process456.

Though not specifically shown, venue 400 may include a security systemthat includes a security zone 414 that detects the position of RFID tagsas they pass from an interior of venue 400 to an exterior of venue 400.Because such security systems typically only detect the presence of theRFID tag, such tags either need to be removed, or the data needs to bescrambled or removed to prevent setting off a security system. System 1of the present disclosure provides a configuration that eliminates theneed to either remove or deactivate an RFID tag. Because card 100 hasalready provided a list and payment for all the items in proximity tothe user of card 100, transmissions by card 100 provides an exit passfor all authorized items in proximity to the user of card 100. Forexample, if the user has a first item 412, a second item 412, a thirditem 412, and a fourth item 412, and the user passes into range ofsecurity zone 414, the plurality of Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers410 detect the presence of first item 412, second item 412, third item412, and fourth item 412. The system of venue 400 communicates with card100 through the plurality of Wi Fi/RFID transmitters-receivers 410 andlearns that the user's card 100 has already paid for the four items, andthe system of venue 400 ignores the presence of RFID tags on anyauthorized item 412, which decreases labor for venue 400. In addition toverifying that a specific card 100 has paid for the items, the system ofvenue 400 also verifies a time and date of a transaction, so that a userattempting to return to the store after leaving is unable to load thesame four items into the cart and then leave, attempting to use theprevious transaction as an opportunity for shoplifting. If such anattempt is made, such as an exit from venue 400, and then a return togather four additional, identical products, the security system of venue400 will immediately know that the user has been in the store twice,that the user returned to venue 400 with or without authorized oruser-purchased items 412, and that additional checking of theuser/customer is required to verify the user has only authorizedproducts. While video evidence may be required to verify the two entriesof a user attempting to scam the system of venue 400, it is easier toknow when such checks of entries and exits are needed with the presenceof card 100 and time stamped exits from venue 400.

Once at end process 456, the user departs venue 400, secure in theknowledge that the features of card 100, venue interface module 330, andvenue interface process 420 have provided the user with the lowest costoptions, available coupons, deals, rebates, etc., extended warranties,etc. Furthermore, venue 400 and card 100 have detailed informationregarding the transaction that can be used to assist in returning items,using warranty, and for other purposes. Because of the information thatmay be gathered by venue 400, any information regarding recalls can alsobe transmitted to the user, even when the user does not completewarranty card information to the manufacturer, supplier, or venue 400.

FIG. 32 shows an RFID layer 470 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. RFID layer 470 may be positionedadjacent to a substrate of card 100, such as substrate 170 or 370, asshown in FIG. 8B. RFID layer 470 includes a two-dimensional array ofRFID antennas, which may all be identical in an exemplary embodiment, orin another exemplary embodiment may be optimized for a plurality offrequencies. RFID layer 470 in FIG. 32 includes a plurality of RFIDantennas 472, 474, and 476. The advantage to having a plurality of RFIDantennas is that the RFID antenna array becomes very small whileproviding the advantage of being able to gather more RF energy.Furthermore, card 100 becomes capable of relatively accurate tracking ofan RFID tag in three-dimensional space, including tracking of speed,acceleration, and direction of travel of an RFID tag. Additionally, byincluding a plurality of tuning circuits in card 100, and connectingRFID antennas 472 to a first tuning circuit (not shown), RFID antennas474 to a second tuning circuit (not shown), and RFID antennas 476 to athird tuning circuit (not shown), and optimizing each combination ofRFID antennas and tuning circuits to a specific, and different RFIDfrequency from the other combinations of RFID antennas and tuningcircuits, card 100 achieves or provides an improved locating capabilityin an environment with a high density of RFID tags. As an alternative toa plurality of tuning circuits, card 100 may include a tuning circuitthat has the ability to modify tuning to a plurality of RF frequenciesassociated with RFID tags. A card 100 including an RFID layer 470 may beused in a venue that includes RFID tags configured to provide aplurality of RF frequencies, such as venue 480, a portion of which isshown in FIG. 33 .

One challenge with trying to find a specific item 412 in a venue havinghundreds or thousands of RFID tags is identifying a specific RFID tag.In order to reduce the amount of data being received by card 100 to tryto find a specific RFID tag, a system can use a plurality of RFIDwavelengths to assist in finding a specific item. Furthermore, if asmart RFID tag is used, only the specific item sought may provide atransmission signal. In an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure shown in FIG. 33 , venue 480 includes a plurality of items412 positioned in various locations in venue 480, such as shelves,racks, etc. 404. Each item 412 is associated with an RFID tag 482 thatincludes the ability to transmit in two or more frequencies. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 33 , RFID tag 482 is configured to transmitthree frequencies. RFID tag 482 includes a first transmission circuit484 configured to generate a first frequency, a second transmissioncircuit 486 configured to generate a second frequency, and thirdtransmission circuit configured to generate a third frequency, and eachfrequency is matched to one of the frequencies of the first tuningcircuit, the second tuning circuit, and the third tuning circuit.

When a user of card 100 enters an aisle 490 of venue 480, the system ofvenue 480 is assisting the user of card 100 by transmitting an RFfrequency that matches the first frequency transmitted by firsttransmission circuit 484, the second frequency transmitted by secondtransmission circuit 486, or the third frequency transmitted by thirdtransmission circuit 488. However, other users are in aisle 490 alsotrying to find a specific item with an RFID tag 482, so multiple RFIDtags 482 are transmitting simultaneously, making it difficult for card100 to rapidly find the signal associated with a specific item 412. Inorder to speed the process of finding a specific item 412, the system ofvenue 480 can transmit at a specific frequency for a specific customerin a limited area, helping to localize a search for a card 100 user.Venue 480 includes a plurality of RF transmitters 492, which may haveeither the ability to transmit at a plurality of frequencies, or mayeach be optimized for first frequency 484, second frequency 486, orthird frequency 488. When a card 100 enters aisle 490 seeking a specificitem, for example an item 494, which has an RFID tag 482, the closest RFtransmitter 492 may transmit at the first frequency. If a second card100 user enters aisle 490 seeking an item 496, the closest available RFtransmitter 492 may transmit at the second frequency. Similarly, when athird card 100 user enters aisle 490 seeking an item 498, the closestavailable RF transmitter 492 transmits at third frequency. In each case,card 100 has been advised by the system of venue 480 of the specificfrequency at which the user's item is transmitting, which minimizes theamount of data that card 100 needs to review before localizing aspecific item.

Venue 480 may also use smart RFID tags, such that only a specific tagtransmits RF energy, as directed by a local Wi Fi network, which mayhave transmitters co-located with RF transmitters 492 or separate fromRF transmitters 492. The challenge of finding a specific item becomesrelatively fast when card 100 receives only limited information fromonly those RFID tags that are actively sought rather than beinginundated by the signals from all RFID tags in reception range of card100.

RFID has gained acceptance in part due to the idea that very low costRFID tags can be fabricated that have no local power source and very fewcomponents. As such, they are non-transmitting until an RFID sendingdevice tuned to the same frequency is sufficiently close to the RFID tagto provide enough charging power to “boot” or charge the RFID tag ordevice, with enough residual power remaining to allow for an initialhandshake communication much like a conventional modem connection. Ifthe RF energy continues to be received by the RFID tag or device becausethe RFID transmitter remains in proximity, further communicationsbetween the RFID tag and the RFID transmitter are possible. Using morethan one RFID frequency, raising the frequency of each successive RFIDcircuit in a tag, can be strategically used to cause the RFIDtransmitter or sending device to use the lowest frequency first, get thehandshake, begin to “talk,” and then ascertain the identity of the tagin question, which could include several layers of information. The RFIDtransmitter or sending device could be talking to more than one uniquetag at one time. Tag class narrows the choice to tell the RFIDs in thesought after class to move to the next frequency layer and establishanother connection and then communicate on that channel. The purpose forthis layering is actually dual purpose. One purpose is to quicklyeliminate other tags in proximity and another is the physical fact thatfor the tag to activate each different higher frequency RFID channel,the RFID transmitter has to move closer and closer to the object to firethe next higher frequency RFID frequency in the RFID tag. The need to becloser for higher frequencies is because of the property of higherfrequency transmission lines and the natural loss associated with radiofrequency transmissions. The higher the frequency the greater the loss.So, to fire higher and higher frequency RFID tag layers, you have tomove physically closer if your RFID transmitter or sending device staysat a fixed transmission output power level. The first lower frequencyRFID tag channel reaches further in terms of range, and the RFID antennaarray of card 100 provides solid directional information, but not enoughto direct you to touch the card to the individual item. Since the firstconnection can get you to within about six feet, then the next RFIDlayer fires and directs a user to within two feet, and finally the nextlayer can get you close enough to allow card 100 to indicate when youare actually touching the sought after item 412 with card 100. Thisdomino effect strategically uses the well understood phenomena of lossof transmission power associated with higher and higher frequencies. Italso strategically limits the number of RFID tags in a given zone thatfire, to provide initial direction and get a user closer to the uniqueobject or item 412 being sought by getting the user closer to the uniqueRFID tag associated with the unique object you are seeking. The key tothis process is to let card 100 sort through what RFID tags can and dofire, based on proximity, to then get directional information that getsthe sought after item 412 closer to the user, which limits the totalnumber of communicating tags because the energy from card 100 fires thesuccessively higher frequency channels and the sync process andcommunications allowing sorting, does not overwhelm the processingcapacity of card 100, making it sluggish or useless. In fact, if asoftware filter knows the precise identity of the object you are seekingby way of the information stored in each RFID tag, it can sort out allthe unwanted objects and make the decision to fire the next channel,providing yet another sort of successively less objects, in under asecond for each layer. This allows card 100 or other device capable ofthis multi-channel RFID communications scheme to literally walk a userto an object, right up to touching the desired object without the userhaving to hesitate at any point, preserving the user's time and energyand making the process a rewarding experience.

Having an RFID capability enables other features of card 100. Forexample, extremely small RFID tags, which are available in sizes thatverge on microscopic, can be attached to a finger, fingernail, apparel,tangible personal item such as glasses, a pen, etc., or a hand of a userof card 100. In order for card 100 to function properly, a user havingan RFID tag needs to be in proximity to card 100. Card 100 may alsocombine its other biometric capabilities, for example, imagerecognition, sound reception, etc., to cross-check an RFID tag againstother characteristics of a user to verify that the user is alive and toconfirm that the user has authorized access to card 100. In an exemplaryembodiment, a user may have an extremely small RFID tag positioned oneach finger, and each finger may be recognized individually as it accessthe functions and features of card 100, providing tracking of card 100use and enhancing the ability to assure that only the authorized userhas access to card 100. Furthermore, card 100 can track each individualRFID tag on each finger and use the proximity of such an RFID tag eitherseparately or in combination with other information, such as visualanalysis, to determine when a function of card 100 or other relatedembodiments of card 100 should be operated.

The previous embodiments of the present disclosure focus on a creditcard form factor. However, the pixelated nature of card 100 isbeneficially extendable to other form factors and devices. For example,FIGS. 34 and 35 show a mat 500 including the layer and pixel featuresdescribed hereinabove. Mat 500 provides a unique capability in that mat500 can be of a size that enables emulating virtually any control panelor configuration, or by using and combining multiple mats 500. Mat 500may be preprogrammed with a variety of control configurations or panels,or control panels and configurations may be uploaded via wirelessconnection or Wi Fi. Control panel configurations, which are representedentirely visually, may include one or more guarded toggle switches 502,push button switches 504, keyboard(s) 506, slide controls 508, rockerswitches 510, dials 512, labels 514, and the like.

Once a particular control panel configuration is displayed on mat 500,fingers or other body parts, such as a hand, can be used to actuate thevirtual or displayed controls. Because mat 500 includes visualrecognition capability, which may be housed in a process similar toprocessor 110, contact with mat 500 may be completely non-contact. Afinger movement toward a guarded toggle switch 502 and then a transversemotion is interpreted as moving guarded toggle switch 502 to an openposition. The toggle (not shown) under the guard portion of guardedtoggle switch 502 may then be actuated with a similar movement. Otherswitches may also be actuated by placing a finger or hand in proximityto the switch of interest and moving fingers or hand in a way that wouldcause actuation of a physical switch. Because mat 500 includes audiooutput capability, each switch movement can be accompanied by a soundindicative of the motion of the associated switch. Furthermore, falsepositives may be reduced and even eliminated by using smart analysisthat requires a gesture by a finger or hand to have a specific positionor amount of overlap with a switch or control to reduce activation of anadjacent switch. In addition, because the image recognition softwarerecognizes gestures, an orientation of fingers appropriate to move aspecific switch or control type, such as dial 512, can be recognized asbeing for movement of dial controls only, and thus virtual dial 512 mayonly be moved by a recognized finger position or gesture appropriate formovement of dial 512.

While mat 500 can display a plurality of virtual controls, in some casesthere may be value in having actual or physical controls, powered by amat similar to mat 500. Referring to FIG. 36 , an overlay 750 and asmart mat 752 are shown. Smart mat 750, which includes a plurality ofsensor layers, such as the layers described for card 100 and for mat500, can mate with overlay 750 by way of a recess 754 formed in overlay750. Overlay 750 may include features that permit mat 752 to be retainedin recess 754, such as permanent magnets or retention features (notshown). Overlay 750 includes a plurality of physical features, such as aplurality of push buttons 756, rocker switches 758, rotary dials 760,slide controls 762, rotary switches 764, push buttons 766, and a display768. Overlay 750 may also include a tag 770 having a unique identifier,such as a bar code, Qr tag, or some other identifier. Tag 770 may bepositioned in recess 754 so that mat 752 is able to “see” or read tag770 when overlay 750 is placed on mat 752.

Overlay 750 is designed to be completely unpowered or electricallyinert. A user or operator mates overlay 750 with mat 752. Mat 752visually “reads” tag 770, which tells mat 752 the type of overlay 750,which may be programmed separately into mat 752, or which mat 752 isable to download when prompted by the proximity of tag 770. When anoperator or user moves any control or switch on overlay 750, it is mat752 that detects movement of the button, switch, dial, etc., through oneor more of the plurality of sensor pixels available to mat 752 anddescribed herein. Mat 752 also does not include any operating lights ordisplays. A display such as display 768 is actually a transparentportion of overlay 750 that allows a display on mat 752 to be viewed ina direction that is perpendicular to overlay 750. Because mat 752 isprogrammed to function as would an actual device having the controls ofoverlay 750, such as an oscilloscope, radio, or other piece ofequipment, each movement of a control, for example dials 760, cause mat752 to modify its display output so that a user or operator of overlay750 is able to see the effect of modifying dials 760. In an exemplaryembodiment, one dial 760 might control synchronization of a signal thatis presented by mat 752 through “display” 768, and a user or operator isable to see the effect of moving dial 760 on display 768, if any wouldbe present in real life. Additionally, various controls on overlay 750may be backlit or backlighted by the display functions of mat 752,permitting the various controls to be lighted as they might be in anactual application. In addition to backlighting, light effects from mat752 can indicate movement of controls, such as levels with knobschanging color dynamically from say dark red through to very light red,for a volume setting 0 through 10 inclusive. With a simple touch it ispossible to get a light flash feedback so you know the system registeredyour touch for that key aside from other feedback. Sound feedback isalso possible from mat 752.

Because mat 752 is capable of being mated to a plurality of overlays,such as overlay 750, training equipment becomes less expensive because aplurality of such overlays may be “powered” or driven by a single mat752. In some situations, mat 752 may be larger than an overlay. In thiscircumstance, the portions of mat 752 not under the overlay may bepowered off, display black, or display a design or border. In anexemplary embodiment, an exposed border of mat 752 may function as acalculator, note-taking device, or permit controlling training scenariosof mat 752 in an interface with an overlay. Mat 752 may also be smallerthan an overlay, in which case, two or more mats 752 may be used tointerface with an overlay 750 through the adaptive ability of mat 752 tomatch portions of an output display to a specific need, similar to theconfiguration described hereinbelow with respect to the embodiment ofFIGS. 42-44 . In other words, two mats 752 will share outputs that aresized and positioned in a manner appropriate to interface with anoverlay 750. Any areas not required to interface with overlay 750 mayeither be darkened or inactivated, may provide a space for notes, otherfunctions, or may have decorative or entertaining graphics.

The underside of overlay 750, which is in recess 754, can be completelycovered with a non-repeating pattern outside of the area of tag 770, somat 752 can tell movement, even slight movement, of any control on themat. When overlay 750 is removed, the software of mat 752 can hold avirtual image of overlay 750 and ask you if you want to keep thatworkable image up and its associated program. If you keep mat 752running, you still have the same controls displayed on mat 752 withoutoverlay 750. The display of the controls may be shrunk and tiled.Additionally, if an overlay 750 is much smaller than a mat 752, theportion of mat 752 that is associated with overlay 750 automaticallysizes itself to the boundaries of overlay 750, and portions of mat 752outside the boundaries of overlay 750 remain unlighted, or provide adecorative border or display. In some cases, a single mat 752 can holdtwo or more overlays 750, if space permits. A user can also place aplurality of overlays, one at a time, on mat 752. The functions of eachoverlay 750 may be retained in mat 752 to keep the image and functionsalive, and to tile them.

Additionally, because the cost of an overlay 750 may be relativelyinexpensive, if an overlay is used frequently, mat 752 may be left inplace permanently, and if overlay 750 wears out, become obsolete, or forother reasons, a new replacement is relatively easy to replace, allowinga user to “instantly replace” overlays from time to time withouttechnical assistance since the process of mating the application withthe overlay 750 and mat 752 is fully automatic.

It should be apparent that the sensor capabilities of mat 752 provide anenhanced capability for overlays 750, that being the ability to measureor read the speed of actuation of controls. For some situations, ifoverlay 750 is for a musical instrument or for a game control, the speedof movement may translate to an intensity of actuation.

Because of the visual capabilities of card 100, and more specifically,the visual capabilities of the pixel configuration describedhereinabove, other functions and features are enabled. One of thesefunctions and features is the ability to recognize various types ofgestures, both dynamic and static. In addition to expanding thecapabilities of a credit card form, as embodied in various cards 100described hereinabove, the ability to recognize static and dynamicgestures leads to a new and unique mechanism. In one exemplaryembodiment, card 100 or mat 500 can require RFID tags to be positionedon a hand or on each individual finger to enable, for example, actuationof a virtual switch, such as rocker switches 510, slide controls 508,etc. Card 100 or mat 500 can also track the identity of someone usingcard 100 or mat 500 and accessing individual features through RFID,fingerprint, Kirlian, or other types of recognition, and document suchusage for security purposes, for training purposes, for documentingaccess, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 37-41 , an exemplary embodiment of card 100incorporating static gestures in accordance with the present disclosureis described. When the user holds card 100 in a hand 530, which includesfingers 532 (note that a thumb is considered a finger for thisdescription), the user may be intending to perform a specific functionwith card 100, such as using card 100 as a telephone, a camera, or anRFID locater. The user of card 100 can associate specific grasps of card100, which can be described as the static gesture, with particularfunctions or configurations of card 100 and per unique user viabiometrics and identification of the unique user. Alternatively, theuser of card 100 may use default gestures that are the best or idealgestures for a particular function, which may be shared by various usersof card 100 or may be shared by user groups and downloaded to card 100.

Note that card 100 has other functions and capabilities, and theexamples presented are but representative samples of the associationbetween the way card 100 is held and associated functions of card 100.Because card 100 includes the capability to “see” by way of lightdetecting pixel elements 148, and because card 100 is configured toanalyze images, card 100 is configured to recognize when card 100 isbeing held by an arrangement of a hand 530 and fingers 532 that isassociated with a specific function of card 100. In an exemplaryembodiment, edge or side 105 of card 100 may include pixel layers toimprove the ability to recognize grasps or static gestures. As withprevious embodiments, arrangements, grasps, or static gestures may becombined with biometrics captured by one or more layers of card 100 toeither assist in recognizing the arrangements, grasps, or staticgestures and/or to recognize the user of card 100. Furthermore, card 100is better able to understand various grasps or static gestures becauseof the sensors positioned under first major surface 101 and second majorsurface 102.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 37 , hand 530 and fingers 532are holding card 100 in an arrangement, grasp, or static gesture 534that may be associated with the use of card 100 as a telephone. Oncecard 100 recognizes grasp or static gesture 534, card 100 configuresitself to function as a telephone. In order to reduce false recognition,card 100 may include a time delay so that the user needs to hold card100 for a predetermined period before card 100 recognizes grasp orstatic gesture 534.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 38 , hand 530 and fingers 532are holding card 100 in an arrangement, grasp, or static gesture 536that may be associated with the use of card 100 as a camera. Once card100 recognizes arrangement, grasp, or static gesture 536, card 100configures itself to be a telephone.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 39 , hand 530 and fingers 532are holding card 100 in an arrangement, grasp, or static gesture 538that may be associated with the use of card 100 as an RFID scanner. Oncecard 100 recognizes arrangement, grasp, or static gesture 538, card 100configures itself to function as an RFID scanner.

Of course, the embodiments of FIGS. 37-39 are but a small portion of thepossible functions that may be accessed by a specific grasp or staticgesture. For example, positioning card 100 in a first direction at aspecific angle in conjunction with a specific grasp may indicate atexting function. Positioning card 100 in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction at a specific angle with a specificgrasp may indicate an email function. Holding card 100 in a specificorientation such as static gesture 536 and pointing with a finger on theopposite hand or speaking a voice command can designate taking aphotograph. Card 100 will provide the option to save or delete anacquired image, or a video clip, if a video option has been selected.The user of card 100 always has the option of selecting whether card 100automatically recognizes gestures. Card 100 includes an array ofdiscriminators or filters to decrease the chance of automatic selectionof an undesirable mode, but mistakes can still happen, so having theability to select the static gesture mode or to deselect the mode is anadvantageous feature.

While various arrangements, grasps, or static gestures can bepre-defined, allowing the user of card 100 to define these arrangementsprovides benefits to the user. For example, persons having limited or nouse of certain fingers or portions of a hand may need to definealternative grasp or static gesture configurations. Further, individualsusing prosthetics may need to define unique static gestures appropriateto the configuration of the prosthesis. Additionally, some individualsuse alternative body portions as hand substitutes, including the crookof an arm, feet and toes, the mouth, and more. Providing card 100 withthe capability of adapting its functions to any definable orrecognizable configuration or arrangement of body parts, mechanicalaids, or biological aids, which may include service animals, provides acapability that is unique.

Referring to FIG. 40 , a gesture module is shown and generally indicatedat 540. Gesture module 540 uses an orientation of card 100 incombination with recognition of one or more objects, such as fingers orother body parts, a mechanical actuator, a biological actuator, or anycombination of these. At least a portion of gesture module 540 islocated in, for example, a processor 110 and one or more pixel layers ofcard 100. Gesture module includes an orientation module 542, a graspanalysis module 544, and a card mode module 546.

Gesture module 540 may be initiated within processor 110 of card 100 aspart of a series of standard operating modules. Once initiated,orientation module 542 determines whether card 100 is being held in anorientation that conforms to a predetermined orientation that may beassociated with a predefined card mode or function. If card 100 is beingheld in an orientation that may be associated with a predefined functionor mode of card 100, information regarding the orientation is providedto grasp analysis module 544. In grasp analysis module 544, one or moresensor inputs are analyzed to determine whether an arrangement, grasp,or static gesture corresponds to a predetermined arrangement, grasp, orstatic gesture, and whether the combination of the arrangement, grasp,or static gesture and the orientation of card 100 corresponds to a modeor function stored in memory 114 and/processor 110 of card 100. Sensorinputs that are detected by grasp analysis module 544 include lightdetecting pixel elements 148 of light detecting layers 186 a and 186 bof FIG. 7B, and can include piezoelectric-in pixel elements 111 ofpiezoelectric-in layer 194 a and 194 b of FIG. 7B which are sensitive totouch. Grasp analysis module 544 analyzes the inputs from lightdetecting layers 186 a and 186 b as well as other inputs to determine ifspecific orientations of fingers 532 and hand 530 conform to apredetermined configuration. Such orientation can include where fingers532 contact card 100, or a position of one or more fingers 532, such asa pointing finger 532 or a finger 532 raised at a specific angle toother fingers or to hand 530. For example, grasp analysis module 544 mayreceive inputs showing that at least three fingers are arrayed alongsidefirst major side 101 or second major side 102 of card 100 and slightlyoverlap major surface or side 101 or 102, and a single finger ispositioned longitudinally alongside an opposite side of card 100, butalso overlapping the same major surface or side 101 or 102, as shown inFIG. 37 . Grasp analysis module 544, located in one or more processorsin card 100, such as processor 110, recognizes from optical inputs tolight detecting layers 186 a and/or 186 b that the orientation offingers 532 along either side of card 100 as shown in FIG. 37 , isindicative of a grasp that grasp analysis module 544 equates to atelephone mode. If the combination of card orientation and grasp matchesa predefined combination of card orientation and grasp, then theinformation is provided to card mode module 546, which changes the modeor function of card 100 to match the predetermined mode or function,such as a camera function, an RFID tag reading function, a telephonefunction, etc.

Referring to FIG. 41 , a gesture process in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure that may be in one or more modulesof gesture module 540, and may be included in a processor of card 100,for example processor 110, is shown and generally indicated at 550. Itshould be noted that gesture process 550 may be a subroutine of a largerprocess, which may also be true of other processes described in thisdisclosure. As such, gesture process 550 may be regularly “polled” orchecked to see if process 550 needs to be performed. Once gestureprocess 550 is completed or finished, control may then be returned tothe calling or original process that handed control to gesture process550.

Gesture process 550 begins with a start process 552. Start process 552may include initializing variables, clearing registers, and otherfunctions related to preparation for performing the various processes ofgesture process 550, which may be performed in processor 110 or in otherportions of card 100. Once start process 552 is completed, controlpasses from start process 552 to a fixed orientation decision process554.

In fixed orientation decision process 554, which is part of orientationmodule 542, gesture process 550 determines whether card 100 is in afixed orientation by analyzing inputs from one or more pixel layers. Inthe context of this embodiment of the disclosure, fixed orientation isdefined as a grasp, static gesture, or configuration of body parts,prosthetics, biological aids, etc. that remains in substantially thesame arrangement for a predetermined minimum interval of time. If thecondition of fixed orientation decision process 554 is not met, gestureprocess 550 may loop through fixed orientation decision process 554until such a condition is met. However, it is more likely that if thecondition of fixed orientation decision process 554 is not met thatcontrol will be returned to a calling program or subroutine (not shown),which will effectively terminate gesture process 550 until gestureprocess 550 is called at some later time.

If processor 110 determines that the user of card 100 is holding card100 in a fixed orientation by the analysis of sensor data, controlpasses from fixed orientation decision process 554 to a grasp analysisprocess 556, positioned at least partially in grasp analysis module 544.In grasp analysis process 556, the configuration of elements holdingcard 100, for example hand 530 and fingers 532, are analyzed inprocessor 110. For example, one or more pixel layers, such as lightdetecting pixel elements 148 of light detecting layers 186 a and 186 b,receive information regarding the position and orientation of fingers532 and hand 530. While the data used to analyze the configuration ofelements holding card 100 may be data from light detecting pixelelements 148, other pixels may be used to detect the elements holdingcard 100, such as magnetic-out pixels 109 and magnetic-in pixels 150,piezoelectric-out pixels 113, and/or piezoelectric-in pixels 111. Thebenefit to use a plurality of pixels is to expand the definition ofstatic gesture or grasp to include that capability of detecting anarrangement of elements other than hands 530 and fingers 532. Forexample, card 100 may be held by a kinematic arrangement offerromagnetic rods that can be detectable through non-visual pixels,such as magnetic-in pixel elements 150, or such a kinematic arrangementmay be positioned inside a covering that is permeable to magnetic energywhile being opaque visually. As previously noted, the plurality ofsensing pixels positioned as a part of card 100 expands the ability todetect non-biological static gestures or grasps.

The analysis of elements holding card 100, for example hand 530 andfingers 532, can include positions of fingertips and an amount ofoverlap of card 100. Additionally, grasp analysis process 556 may try tomatch a range of features, such as hand 530 positioned along a portionof an edge of card 100 and a finger 530 positioned along the same edge,but a spaced distance away, and three fingers partially overlapping card100, with a predetermined or user-defined set of features that arestored in, for example, processor 110 of card 100 or memory 114. Graspanalysis process 556 will attempt to match as many sensor inputs aspossible to grasp configurations stored in memory 114, processor orcontroller 110, or elsewhere.

Once grasp analysis process 556 is completed, control passes from graspanalysis process 556 to a grasp configuration decision process 558. Ingrasp configuration decision process 558, processor 110 determineswhether an arrangement, grasp, or static gesture has been associatedwith or defined as a card 100 function. Processor 110, as part of graspanalysis process 556, may have concluded that an arrangement of fingers,or a grasp or static gesture, is sufficiently close to the parameters ofgrasp analysis module 556 that conform to a grasp that equates to atelephone mode of card 100. If an arrangement, grasp, or static gesturedetected by card 100 is not associated with a card 100 function or notdefined as a card 100 function, control returns to fixed orientationdecision process 554, described hereinabove. Control may also pass fromgrasp configuration decision process 558 to a calling or controllingprogram or subroutine in another embodiment. If an arrangement, grasp,or static gesture is associated with a card 100 function, control passesfrom grasp configuration decision process 558 to a mode change process560.

In mode change process 560, located at least partially in card modemodule 546, an operating configuration of card 100 is changed to conformto the function identified in grasp analysis process 556. As describedhereinabove, such modes or functions can include a camera mode orfunction, a telephone mode or function, an RFID scanning mode orfunction, a sound scanning or sonogram mode or function, or other modesprogrammed into processor 110 of card 100. Once card 100 is functioningin the mode defined by grasp analysis process 556, control passes frommode change process 560 to a user termination process 562.

In user termination process 562, processor 110 determines whether a userdesires to either end or terminate the present mode or function, orwhether the user desires to change to a different mode or function. Suchdesires may be expressed by the user by changing grasp or static gestureon card 100, or by accessing virtual controls on card 100 directly. Ifthe user desires to terminate the present mode or function, controlpasses from user termination process 562 to a card use complete decisionprocess 566, described in more detail hereinbelow. If the user desiresto continue using card 100, control passes from user termination process562 to a grasp maintained decision process 564.

In grasp maintained decision process 564, processor 110 determineswhether the arrangement for holding card 100, the grasp on card 100, orthe static gesture used to hold card 100 is being maintained. If thearrangement, grasp, or static gesture is being maintained by the user,control loops through grasp maintained decision process 564 until theuser disengages or changes the arrangement, grasp, or static gesture, atwhich time control passes from grasp maintained decision process 564 tocard use complete process 566.

In card use complete process 566, processor 110 determines whether theuser is finished using card 100. Such determination may be made by achange in arrangement, grasp, or static gesture, or may be made when theuser accesses virtual controls on card 100. If the user is continuing touse card 100, control passes from card use complete process 566 to fixedorientation decision process 554. As with other processes previouslydescribed, in another embodiment control may pass from card use completeprocess 566 to a calling program or subroutine, returning to gestureprocess 550 at a later time. If the user of card 100 is finished usingcard 100, control passes from card use complete process 566 to an endprocess 568, where card 100 can go into a dormant, sleep, or shutdownmode to conserve power, which thus terminates gesture process 550.

While the discussion of static gestures has focused on card 100, mat 500also operates based on a visual recognition or analysis. When a fingermoves to actuate a feature displayed on mat 500, mat 500 actuates basedon visual analysis of the finger from inputs received from lightdetecting pixel elements 148 by a processor similar to processor 110,which is effectively a gesture, and depending on a time on station orthe amount of time the finger remains in a particular location prior torecognition by mat 500, such a gesture may be a static gesture. Whilethis description describes fingers, mat 500 may also be trained torecognize other objects as an actuating device, such as stylus, a pencilor pen, a piece of wood, a metal rod, etc. The kinds or types of objectsthat mat 500 can be trained to recognize is, for all practical purposes,limitless. Conversely, if mat 500 is trained to recognize, using sensingcapabilities to detect shape, distance, etc., for example, a pencil asan actuating object, any object that does not meet the form and color ofa pencil will not be recognized, and mat 500 will be unresponsive. Bytraining mat 500 to recognize a specific object as an actuating objectprovides significant security for operation of mat 500, making itdifficult for a third party to know that the specific object is, forexample, a bamboo chopstick typically stored in a drawer of tools.

The sensor and display capabilities of card 100 provide the capabilityof transforming a plurality of cards 100 into a high-resolution ad hocdisplay. Referring to FIGS. 42-44 , an ad hoc matrix display inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure isshown and generally indicated at 580. In the exemplary embodiment,matrix display 580 includes a plurality of cards 100, identified as 100p, 100 q, 100 r, 100 s, 100 t, 100 u, 100 v, 100 w, and 100 x. It shouldbe apparent from the present disclosure that an ad hoc matrix display ofnearly any size is possible, limited only by memory and processing powerof cards 100.

In order to create matrix display 580, a matrix display module inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure isprovided and shown generally at 582 in FIG. 43 . Matrix display module582 is located at least partially in processor 110 and light emittingpixel layer 198 a and/or 198 b of one card 100 and typically includesthe processor and light emitting pixel layer of at least two cards 100.Matrix display module 582 includes a card detection module 584, a mastercard selection module 586, a matrix definition module 588, and an imagedisplay module 590. Card detection module 584 receives an initiatematrix display signal or control input, which initiates matrix displaymodule 582. Initiate matrix display signal or control input may beprovided by a card user who desires to create an ad hoc matrix display.However, card 100 may also continuously receive sensor inputs, such asWi Fi or other RF signals such as RFID, and when one or more sensorinputs of card 100 are analyzed by processor 110 to thus identify theproximity of other cards in a side-by-side relationship, cards 100 mayautomatically change into an ad hoc display. Once the presence ofadjacent cards 100 has been identified, the list of matrix cards isprovided by card detection module 584 to master card selection module586. Master card selection module 586 determines which of the cards 100is the master or controlling card for matrix display 580. In anexemplary embodiment, the user or users of card 100 may specificallyidentify a particular card 100 as the master or controlling card, andthis data or information is provided to the other cards in the matrix incard detection module 584. In another embodiment, processors 110 ofcards 100 may negotiate with each other to determine which card 100 isbest positioned to be the master or controlling card. In yet anotherembodiment, card 100 having time priority in matrix 580, i.e., the firstcard in matrix 580, may be accepted by all other cards 100 as the masteror controlling card.

Once the master or controlling card 100 has been identified, controlpasses to matrix definition module 588, where processor 110 of mastercard 100 verifies the arrangement of cards 100 in ad hoc matrix display580. Processor 110 of master card 100 also determines the approximatesize of ad hoc matrix display 580 to determine the optimal displayconfiguration for an image, which may be a document, a picture, a video,a live image, or any other item capable of being displayed. Onceprocessor 110 of master card 100 has determined the number of cards 100and the distribution of cards 100, processor 110 of master card 100assigns specific portions of the image to be displayed to processor 110of each individual card 100 in matrix display 580. Once processor 110 ofmaster card 100 determines the optimal configuration of all availablecards in matrix display 580 and transmits that information to processors110 of other cards 100 in matrix display 580 along with synchronizationinformation, control passes from matrix definition module 588 to imagedisplay module 590, where the image is displayed or emitted from lightemitting layer 198 a and/or 198 b as assigned by processor 110 of mastercard 100 on each card 100 of matrix display 580, which includes mastercard 100.

Referring to FIG. 44 , a matrix display process in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that may be in one ormore modules of module 582, and may be at least partially included in aprocessor of card 100, for example processor 110, is shown and generallyindicated at 600. It should be noted that matrix display process 600 maybe a subroutine of a larger process, which may also be true of otherprocesses described in this disclosure. As such, matrix display process600 may be regularly “polled” or checked to see if process 600 needs tobe performed. Once matrix display process 600 is completed or finished,control may then be returned to the calling or original process thathanded control to matrix display process 600. It should also be notedthat while reference is made to card 100 throughout the description ofFIGS. 42-44 , the description is also applicable to mat 500 and anyother device having capabilities similar to card 100 and mat 500.

Matrix display process 600 begins with a start process 602. In startprocess 602 aspects of the function of card 100 and any systems relatingto matrix display process 600 may be prepared for operation, such asclearing registers, establishing predetermined values, etc. Once startprocess 602 is complete, control is passed from start process 602 to afirst card presence signals process 604.

In first card presence signals process 604, all cards 100 in proximityto each other transmit and receive signals to each other to establishproximity appropriate to establishment of an ad hoc display. Forexample, nine cards may be positioned as shown in FIG. 42 , which showsa plurality of cards 100 (100 p-100 x) in a side-by-side relationshipwhen seen in a plan view or in a direction that is orthogonal orperpendicular to the direction of cards 100. Each card 100 may eitherperiodically send out a near field communication signal seeking othercards 100, which can occur about once every few seconds to minimizepower usage, or a user of card 100 can activate a near fieldcommunication search function in deliberate or intentional preparationfor creating an ad hoc matrix display. Once all cards 100 in proximityto each other communicate and establish their presence, control movesfrom card presence signals process 602 to a master card selectionprocess 606.

Master card selection process 606, performed at least partially inmaster card selection module 586, uses one or more techniques todetermine the controlling or master card 100 of matrix display 580. Inan exemplary embodiment, the user(s) of cards 100 may preselect aparticular card 100 to be the master, in which case all cards 100recognize a specific card, for example card 100 t of FIG. 42 , as themaster or controlling card. In another embodiment, processors 110 ofcards 100 may determine that a particular card 100 is in an optimalposition to communicate with all other cards 100 in matrix display 580.In yet another embodiment, the first processor 110 of a particular card100 to recognize the presence of other cards 100 in matrix display 580,i.e., the first card 100 of matrix display 580 from a time perspective,may be selected by the processors 110 of all cards 100 as the master orcontrolling card. Once master card 100 is selected or determined,control passes from master card selection process 606 to a matrixidentification process 608.

In matrix identification process 608, processor 110 of master card 100,which will be referred to as master card 100 t for clarity for theremainder of the description of matrix display process 600, determinescards 100 belonging to the ad hoc matrix as a part of matrix definitionmodule 588. This process or step is important because cards 100 that arein close, in proximity, nearly adjacent, adjacent, or side-by-side toeach other are assumed by master card 100 t to be part of ad hoc matrixdisplay 580, by cards that are further way, for example, at least fourto six inches away, though some ad hoc matrix displays, such as mightexist in a stadium, arena, or other large area with large numbers ofpeople holding their own card 100, might permit cards 100 to be evenfurther away and still be part of an ad hoc matrix display. Once allcards 100 sufficiently close to each other and to master card 100 t havebeen identified by processor 110 of master card 100 t, control movesfrom matrix identification process 608 to an image adaptation process610.

An image to be displayed on matrix display 580 needs adapted to the sizeof matrix display, which is dependent on the number of cards 100available, and the arrangement or configuration of cards 100; i.e., arethere gaps in the display or irregularities that need to beaccommodated. In image adaptation process 610, processor 110 of mastercard 100 t evaluates the image to be displayed and the availability ofdisplay space, and provides a best fit for the image. As describedhereinabove, the term image may describe a document, a picture, a video,or any other item that may be visually presented. Once cards 100, ormats 500, have been analyzed and defined as matrix display 580 byprocessor 110, and a best fit of the image with respect to matrixdisplay 580 has been determined by processor 110, then each card 100 inmatrix display 580 is assigned a portion of the image. Control thenpasses from image adaptation process 610 to a data transfer process 612.

In data transfer process 612, processor 110 of master card 100 ttransfers data to each card 100 in matrix display 580 by way of RFoutput or optical output through edge or side 105. The data received byeach card 100 is prepared by processor 110 for display of a specific,non-overlapping portion of the image. Master card 100 t may alsotransmit synchronization information to each card 100 in matrix display580 to maintain a temporal continuity to images displayed on matrixdisplay 580; i.e., the timing of the display of the image on each card100 in matrix display 580 is synchronized to assure that each card 100is displaying a portion of the same image at the same time. It should beapparent from the description hereinabove that all communication betweencards 100 in matrix display 580 is typically wireless, though wiredconnections are also possible and may be desirable in some situations.Once assignment and synchronization data have been transmitted to allcards 100 in matrix display 580, control passes from data transferprocess 612 to an image display process 614.

In image display process 614, each card 100 in matrix display 580displays a portion of an image by actuating first light emitting unit122 and/or second light emitting unit 124, causing light emitting pixelelements to operate. Control then passes to an image decision process616, where processor 110 of card 100 t determines whether the currentimage displayed needs to be maintained, or whether a new image isdesirable. If either the current image needs displayed, or a new imageneeds displayed, control passes to a second card presence signalsprocess 618. If display of images on matrix display 580, or if matrixdisplay 580 is being dismantled, then control passes to a terminationprocess 620, where all cards 100 are disconnected from each other andmatrix display process 600 ends.

Returning to second card presence signals process 618, though it may bedesirable to maintain a static configuration of matrix display 580, in adynamic environment, such as might occur in a gathering of individualcard 100 holders, the number of cards 100 that are part of matrixdisplay 580 may increase or decrease over time. Thus, in second cardpresence signals process 618, processor 110 determines whether cards 100that form part of matrix display 580 have remained constant since theprevious determination. If cards 100 have been added or removed frommatrix display 580, the information provided by all cards 100 to card100 t in second card presence signals process 618 will be used byprocessor 110 to adapt matrix display 580 to the availability of cards100. Once second card presence signals process 618 is complete, controlpasses from process 618 to matrix identification process 608, and matrixdisplay process 600 continues as described hereinabove.

Though the previous exemplary embodiment described placing a pluralityof cards 100 adjacent or next to each other on a relatively flatsurface, a holder having a material to which magnets are attracted, suchas a ferromagnetic material, or a substrate including permanent magnetsor electromagnets, may be used as a mounting surface for a plurality ofcards 100. Such a holder permits the creation of vertically extendingsurfaces that will return a plurality of cards 100 for a temporary orpermanent ad hoc display. By incorporating software into each processor110 of card 100 for creation of ad hoc displays, the capability ofarranging a plurality of cards 100 into such a vertical display makesthe creation of displays easy and inexpensive, with relatively littlesacrifice of appearance along adjacent edges of cards 100.

Because card 100 includes components and functions that can identifyeach user uniquely by biometric data, processor 110 of card 100 iscapable of permitting more than one user to be logged in to processor110 of card 100 at the same time, with each user capable of accessingthe capabilities and files of card 100 to the extent permitted by theprimary card owner. For example, a card 100 owner may permit a seconduser access to the owner's card 100. The owner of card 100 is uniquelyidentified by at least one biometric input, such as fingerprint,micro-pulse patters, voice identification, etc., and may be identifiedby one or more other inputs, such as passwords, pattern recognition,etc. The owner of card 100 sets permissions in processor 110 of card 100to allow the second user access to processor 110 of card 100. When theowner sets permissions in processor 110 of card 100, the owner canpartition a directory in memory 114 and/or processor 110 and limitaccess to information stored in card 100 for the second user. Onceprocessor 110 of card 100 recognizes the second user by way of one ormore inputs from pixel layers described herein, for example FIG. 7B,processor 110 of card 100 will recognize the user of card 100 viabiometrics received from one or more pixel layers, and each user may belogged in to processor 110 of card 100 simultaneously. In an actual usesituation, the owner of card 100 may be using card 100 for a firstpurpose, and processor 110 of card 100 recognizes the use. When theowner of card 100 hands card 100 to the second user, processor 110 ofcard 100 obtains one or more biometric inputs from one or more pixellayers, and permits the second user access to the portion of card 100,e.g., memory 114 and processor 110, to which the second user isauthorized. The second user may then hand card 100 back to the card 100owner, and processor 110 of card 100 restores the session for the card100 owner where it left off when the owner of card 100 handed card 100to the second user. In the case where two users are in range of card 100at the same time, processor 110 of card 100 may ask, via transmissionfrom a pixel layer, the card 100 owner which user should be in control.FIGS. 45 and 46 illustrate modules and processes that may be performedto permit at least two users to log into an exemplary embodiment of card100. It should be apparent that the modules and process of FIGS. 45 and46 can be expanded to permit operation by more than two users, limitedonly by memory 114 and the ability of processor 110 to handle operationsfrom multiple users.

Referring to FIG. 45 , a user identification and control module is shownand generally indicated at 650. User identification and control module650 includes a card activation module 652, a card identification module654, a card partition module 656, and a card operation module 658. Useridentification and control module 650 may be housed at least partiallyin processor 110, or in other portions of card 100 associated withcontrol of the processes and functions of card 100. User identificationand control module 650 operates when a card owner actuates, “powers up,”operates, or performs the action necessary to cause card 100 to befunctional, which causes a user input to card activation module 652.Card activation module 652 sends an initiate identification signal tocard identification module 654, which receives sensor inputs in at leastone of the plurality of sensor pixels described hereinabove, e.g., lightdetecting pixel elements 148.

Card identification module 654 transmits authorized user information toother modules of user identification and control module 650 whenrequested by the other modules of user identification and control module650. An owner of card 100 is fully authorized to permit or authorizeothers to be user some or all features of card 100, though always beingsubservient to the authorization of the owner or primary user of card100. Such authorization is performed in card identification module 654.Once an identified user has been identified from sensor inputs and otherinputs, such as passwords, graphic passwords, voice prints, retinalprinter, etc., authorized user information is transmitted to cardpartition module 656.

Card partition module 656 generally provides partitions only whenmultiple users are operating card 100. Thus, if only the owner of card100 is operating card 100, partitions are unnecessary, and card 100effectively bypasses card partition module 656. If multiple users areoperating card 100, card partition module 656 provides a location inmemory, such as memory 114, for subservient or non-owner users of card100 to operate without compromising the data of other users. Thus,processor 110 of card 100 segregates the data or information of eachuser from each other through partitioning, which may be physicalpartitioning or virtual partitioning. If multiple users are operatingcard 100, the partitions are formed and information regarding thepartitions is provided to card operation module 658.

In card operation module 658, each operation is associated withbiometric and possibly other inputs, such as passwords, and theoperation requested is delegate to the appropriate partition establishedby card partition module 656. In order to provide the association witheach user, each time an operation is performed in card operation module658, card operation module 658 sends a verify user request to cardidentification module 654, which operates as described hereinabove andprovides authorized user information back to card operation module 658.While verifying the identification of each user for each operating stepcan be time consuming, multiple processors may be positioned in card 100to handle biometric inputs and to perform the identification functionsdescribed hereinabove. Though card 100 may operate more slowly withmultiple users than with a single user, the advantage of allowingmultiple users to operate card 100 is significant in some environments,such as in a business meeting or conference.

User identification & control module 650 may include processes toperform the functions of module 650, such as a user identificationprocess shown in FIG. 46 and generally indicated at 700. Useridentification process 700 begins with a start process 702, which mayinclude processor 110 of card 100 sensing that card 100 has been pickedup by someone, though start process 702 may also include no specificactions by card 100. From start process 702, control moves from startprocess 702 to a card activation process 704.

In card activation process 704, the first user switches card 100 fromstandby or off to on, at which time processor 110 of card 100 may clearregisters, set initial processor 110 values, boot programs, and performother functions necessary for the initial operation of card 100. Oncecard activation process 704 is complete, control passes from process 704to a login process 706.

In login process 706, processor 110 of card 100 accepts logininformation from a first user by way of at least one input pixel layer,such as light detecting layer 186 a or 186 b, which in the exemplaryexample is assumed to be the card “owner,” using the term “owner” in thesense that the “owner” is the person who typically uses card 100 and hasresponsibility for card 100. In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 may beowned by an organization and loaded with one or more features, such as acorporate credit card, site or room access codes, and other informationrelated to the organization. Card 100 may then be assigned to an officeror employee of the organization who then becomes the card holder or“owner,” though card 100 in this example belongs to the organization.Card 100 login information may include one or more of a password,graphic input, voice print, retinal scan, and other manual or biometricinputs. Once the first user is logged in, control passes from loginprocess 706 to a first user or owner operation process 708.

Under circumstances where the first user of card 100 is the only user,first user operation process 708 continues until the first user isfinished using card 100. If the first user stops using card 100 for anextended period, processor 110 of card 100 may go into a standby mode ora power off mode, depending on the time interval since the first userhas operated card 100. However, in the context of user identificationprocess 700, at least one other person will be using card 100, socontrol passes from first user operation process 78 to a permissionsprocess 710.

In permissions process 710, the first user sets permissions for at leastone additional user, which is a second user in this example. In anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first user may setpermissions for a practically unlimited number of additional users. Foreach person authorized for simultaneous login and use of card 100, thefirst user may set a password or set a mode of card 100 to processor 110of enable card 100 to acquire biometric information from the second (andthird, fourth, etc.) user. Once processor 110 of card 100 has biometricinformation from the second user, obtained from at least one input pixellayer of card 100, the first user can either maintain the biometricinformation in memory 114 or in other locations readily accessible tocard 100. During the permissions process, processor 110 of card 100automatically partitions a portion of memory 114 for the second user,and populates the partition with information provided by the first userwith respect to access of memory 114. The first user may providepermission for the second user to the extent permitted by either thefirst user, which may include full access to processor 110 and memory114 of card 100 to minimal access of processor 110 and memory 114 ofcard 100, such as photographs, videos, a specific file, etc., or bylimits set by a corporation policy, which may limit what a card holdermay set as permissions. Once permissions have been set for the seconduser, which may have occurred in a previous session with card 100,control is passed from permissions process 710 to a first handoffprocess 712.

In first handoff process 712, the first user physically provides card100 to the second user. Processor 110 of card 100 periodically queriesone or more sensor layers, described hereinabove, and when processor 110of card 100 recognizes that card 100 is no longer in possession of thefirst user, processor 110 of card 100 attempts to acquire identificationinformation from the second user in a second user identification process714. Such identification information may be one or more kinds ofinformation available to processor 110 of card 100, such as visual oroptical, micro-pulse information, Kirlian, etc. If processor 110 of card100 is able to match the biometric information it receives in varioussensors, then processor 110 of card 100 recognizes that the second useris an authorized user and is permitted access to the partitioned portionof memory 114. Though not shown in FIG. 46 , if processor 110 of card100 is unable to recognize the second user, processor 110 of card 100may be programmed to contact legal authorities, a bank, or otherentities via its Wi Fi or other transmission capabilities, alerting oneor more entities that the possessor of card 100 is not an authorizeduser of card 100. Once processor 110 of card 100 identifies the seconduser of card 100, control passes from second user identification process714 to a second user operation process 716.

In second user operation process 716, the second user operates card 100to the extent permitted by the partition established by the first user.Control periodically passes to a second user operation decision process718, where processor 110 of card 100 determines whether card 100 iscontinuing to use card 100. Such use may be active use, throughgestures, using card 100 as a display, or other active uses of card 100permitted by partitioning of memory 114 and processor 110 of card 100.If the second user is continuing to use card 100, control passes tosecond user operation process 716. If the second user is no longer usingcard 100, control passes from second user operation decision process 718to a log out second user decision process 720.

In log out second user decision process 720, processor 110 determineswhether the second user needs to be logged out. Such decision may bebased on the lack of input or continued use of card 100, or may be assimple as the second user preparing to return card 100 to the firstuser. If the second user is not going to be logged out, control movesfrom second user decision process 720 to a second handoff process 722,where the second user hands card 100 to the first user. Control thenpasses from second handoff process 722 to a first user identificationprocess 724.

In first user identification process 724, processor 110 of card 100 usesthe various identification processes described herein to determine theidentification of the first user. Once the identification of the firstuser has been established, control passes to a first user operationprocess 726, where the first user operates card 100. Periodically,control passes from first user operation process 726 to a first useroperation decision process 728, where processor 110 of card 100determines whether the first user is continuing to operate card 100. Ifthe first user is continuing to operate card 100, control passes fromfirst user operation decision process 728 to first user operationprocess 726. If the first user does not appear to be using card 100,control passes from first user operation decision process 728 to a logout second user decision process 730.

In log out second user decision process 730, processor 110 determineswhether the second user is going to operate card 100. If the second useris going to operate card 100, control moves to first handoff process712, and operation of user identification process 700 continues asdescribed hereinabove. If the second user is no longer going to operatecard 100, control passes from log out second user decision process 730to a second user logout process 732, where the second user is logged outof processor 110 of card 100.

Returning to log out second user decision process 720, if the seconduser is going to be logged out, control passes to a third handoffprocess 734, where card 100 is restored to the first user. Control thenpasses from third handoff process 734 to a first user identificationprocess 736, where processor 110 of card 100 functions to acquirebiometric information from the first user to attempt to identify thefirst user as an authorized user, using the various techniques describedherein. Once the first user has been identified, control passes tosecond user logout process 732, described hereinabove.

From second user logout process 732, control passes to a log out firstuser decision process 738. In process 738, a decision is made as towhether the first user needs logged out. Such a decision may beautomatic and made by card 100, based on the interval since the firstuser operated card 100, or such a decision may be made by the first userand logout may be performed manually. If the first user is not going tobe logged out, then control passes to a first user operation process740, where the first user continues to operate card 100. Control thenpasses from first user operation process 740 to a first user operationdecision process 742.

In first user operation decision process 742, processor 110 determineswhether the first user is continuing to operate card 100. If the firstuser is continuing to operate card 100, control passes to log out firstuser decision process 738, described hereinabove. If the first user isno longer continuing to operate card 100, control passes to a first userlogout process 744. Returning to log out first user decision process738, if the first user is going to log out from card 100, control passesfrom first user decision process 738 to first user logout process 744.In first user logout process 744, the first user is logged off from card100 by processor 110. Card 100 may then go into a standby or shutdownmode, and user identification process 700 terminates with an end process746.

The capabilities of card 100 provide applications to the security of afacility. Because card 100, particular an embodiment of card 100 thatincludes pixel stack 800 of FIG. 9 , is able to gather images andtransmit light on multiple wavelengths and with specific coding, card100 is adaptable to an environment where an ad hoc security system isrequired. Referring to FIG. 47 , a venue 850 is shown. Venue 850includes at least one secure container, such as a safe, a locked displaycase, a locked cabinet, etc., which may be a first secure container 852,a second secure container 854, and a third secure container 856. Venue850 also includes one or more entrances 858.

A plurality of cards 100 that include pixel stack 800 may be positionedin various locations in venue 850. Each card 100 includes the capabilityof emitting highly coherent monochromatic light with a specific codingor output pulses. Once cards 100 are positioned in venue 850, each card100 is set to transmit specific coded light signals, which aremonochromatic signals in an exemplary embodiment. All other cards 100are “trained” or set to recognize the transmission of all other cards100 in venue 850, and cards 100 may then be set to record informationdetected by the sensors of cards 100, such as audio and visualinformation. Each card 100 is anticipating seeing specific codingemitted by each card 100 in venue 850. Such coded transmission isprovided by any one card 100 at predetermined intervals, or the end of acoded transmission by one card 100 may elicit a subsequent transmissionby another card 100, either in a predetermined arrangement or in arandom arrangement. If any one card 100 fails to receive the correctcoding from another card 100, or if the signal received by one card 100varies more than a specific percentage from the level previouslydetected, the receiving card 100 can send an alert that something may bewrong, such as a possible attempt to “spoof” or overcome one card 100.This configuration works because of the sensitivity of the sensor layersof card 100. Even though card 100's field of view may be insufficient to“see” an entire room, light from any one card 100 will be reflected anddispersed around venue 850, as shown by various arrows 860 in FIG. 47 .Furthermore, someone entering venue 850 via entrance 858 or otherlocation in venue 850 will disrupt the intensity of light emitted by anyone card 100 by an amount that is sufficient to decrease the intensityof light received by other cards 100 in venue 850, causing each card 100thus affected by variations in light intensity to sound an alarm becauselight intensities are unexpectedly varying. Thus, card 100 may be usedas part of a low-cost ad hoc security network requiring minimalinfrastructure and virtually no wires, except possibly for providingexternal power to card 100 to increase the length of operation.

The functions of the system disclosed in FIG. 47 may be coupled with thepresence of cards 100 or other devices on authorized personnel, such asguards. Since cards 100 positioned in venue 850 detect the presence ofthese devices, any person entering venue 850 must provide recognitionvia their device or cards 100 provides an alert regarding the presenceof movement without a properly authorized recognition device. Asdescribed herein, part of the recognition can include biometricrecognition of the individual carrying the device.

Card 100 provides numerous benefits to users in a plurality ofcapacities and environments. Card 100 provides a capability to createidentity and security feedback loops when coupled with communication tonetwork 210 and one or more remote servers 200. For example, thefeedback may involve a number of integrations, encryption, security,forensics, and the fingerprint or other biometrics of the authorizeduser may be checked against State and other records for eachtransaction. Server 200, which may represent a State database or acorporate database containing encrypted information regarding the user,compares the information collected by card 100 at the time oftransaction. The term “state” may include a physical state, such asVirginia, but is more broadly any government entity that contains suchrecords, such as any state, federal, or international governmental body.The display, perhaps looking like today's holographic driver's license(e.g., the state of Virginia uses a holographic image), is able toinclude a fingerprint or other identifying image. In general, any partof the body could be “imprinted” as a biometric and the whole surface ofthe finger may be included for a higher form of security. A holographicidentification image could include objects the user will have on theirperson, such as using a scan of their watch as a step in logging intocard 100 or otherwise accessing card 100. Alternatively, or in addition,the holographic identification image could include the user's lip printor ear print. By comparing the information stored in one or moredatabases, with information transmitted by card 100, such as informationcontained on card 100, and information received from the user at thepoint of sale or transaction, such as biometric information or otherinformation, server 200 is able to send information back to the venuethat enables the venue to determine whether card 100 is legitimaterather than counterfeit, and whether the person presenting card 100 isthe authorized user. Thus, card 100 can be an integral part of afeedback loop that begins with the user and data acquired from the userby card 100, data stored on card 100, such as fingerprints, images,security codes, etc., and information maintained in an offsiteprocessor.

Further security may be provided by software methods. For example, aseach card has at least three different elements on two sides, for atotal of six total base elements: two displays, two magnetic stripesurfaces, and two CCD or other imaging surfaces. Each element gets aunique identification so when a user does any form of transaction, thoseunique identifications are passed. A counterfeiter will find itdifficult to circumvent multiple, simultaneous layers of datatransmission and reception present in the sensors and processor(s) ofcard 100. Card 100 can refuse to transmit data that identify the pixelsthat are being used to transmit Trojan data, versus the pixels that aretransmitting valid data. This refusal occurs because mandatorybiometrics or other security information is unknown to thecounterfeiter. The same application of unique identifiers assignedpermanently to each element, applies to each side equipped withpiezoelectric elements, for the piezoelectric-in and thepiezoelectric-out function.

In a modern, adapted POS system, card 100 has this security capabilitysince card 100 uses the bidirectional display to interface, and card 100could take or acquire a snapshot of the print of the user to completethe transaction. Indeed, card 100 may require a valid fingerprint orother unique biometric identifier to permit a transaction to proceed, inaddition to other authorization, such as voice, password, facialrecognition, etc. Later, for auditing or security verification, card 100passes the snapshot to a server, while the POS also has the samesnapshot. The server or a server operator can audit and reconcile theevent, proving it was an authorized user and no record has beenfalsified. Store owners and credit card companies can be powerless tofight when a card holder says their card was stolen and a given purchasewas “not them,” and card 100 improves the chance that store owners andcredit card companies will be protected.

The display may serve as a form of ID. A POS operator can check ID ascard 100 is scanned. Any time a transaction is contemplated, the usercan show electronic ID. As the platform becomes more commonplace withincreasing users, ID with proper encryption and perhaps stateauthorization may replace older forms of ID. The display is designed toemulate a driver's license, along with other forms of identificationsince the credit card form factor is an accepted standard. The abilityor configuration to emulate a driver's license underscores theflexibility and desirability of the credit card shape (form factor) evenfurther.

In today's high speed and complex world, it is easy to appreciate how ablurring may develop between security and commerce. Thus, a credit cardmay be required for a transaction, but a driver's license or otherdocument may be additionally required under certain circumstances:age-sensitive purposes, medical transactions, travel, and so on.Furthermore, in a world of increasing security concerns and also theincreasing technological capabilities to replace POS personnel withmachines, it is easy to see that the need for security in transactionsis likely to increase.

Previous efforts to convert personal wireless devices, such as the cellphone, have produced a myriad of interfaces, some built into a cellphone, some as dongles or apparatus attached to the cell. In all cases,card 100 disclosed herein is instantly backwards compatible by way ofits programmable magnetic layer, as described further herein.

As described in more detail herein, joint transactions involvingmultiple cards may occur. Furthermore, such transactions could entailthe passing of optical data (since certain operations, as described inthe same place, may involve multiple cards 100 according to the presentdisclosure without a magnetic POS reader), which becomes complicated forother reasons, such as cards with secure optical data encoded in areaswhich normally correspond to the location of a magnetic stripe.Coordinating the juggling of display data between cards, such as movingthe display on one card to get around the obstruction of an opaquemagnetic stripe on another, would add latency time and multiple steps toprocessing which would encumber the transaction. Thus, a need exists forsmart cards capable of optical dialogues in which the magnetic stripe isrendered transparent or concealed and embedded so as not to obstructdata. In the case where transactions as described herein, or partsthereof, have access to a magnetic stripe reader, the smart card mayaugment the functionality (such as security and so on) through the useof specific, modulated, handshaking or other variations in magnetic datato accompany the optical data.

As Applicant has verified, a thin film display which may serve thedisplay purposes as described herein, provides no substantial impedimentto magnetic fields. Since the thin film display may act to createwhatever display it is directed to create, the micro-coil or othergenerator of the magnetic field may be behind, or beneath it, and ifnecessary an opaque layer may lie between the two simply to preventhardware details from “showing through” and becoming confused with theimage. In the interest of providing the display with a uniformbackground, the opaque layer may cover a greater extent, possiblyincluding the entire area of card 100 under the display, e.g.,substantially the entire first major surface 101 and/or the entiresecond major surface 102. Thus, these same attributes may apply to bothsides of card 100.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment the display covers the magneticstripes to marry mechanical form factor with prior appearance. Thus, thedevice appears as pure pixel fabric, corner to corner on both sides. Butthe magnetic stripes or their positional equivalent are, nonetheless,there, and if the stripes exist, they are symmetric directionally.

Returning to security features, the last known or used fingerprintacquired by card 100 can be taken by a security system, which may becontained in server 200 or elsewhere associated with network 210, andthe security system and card 100 can both report to their respectivenetworks. Card 100 can report to its dock when next docked. The twodifferent data events (from the perspective of card 100 and from theperspective of the security lock) can record all these details forforensic analysis if ever needed. Security and transaction protectionare hallmarks of card 100 and system 1, providing ecommerce with proofof identity per transaction (with recording of all data).

Each transaction between a POS and card 100 represents two differentloops. The “transaction,” which is utterly secure, such as at a POStransaction, is a first loop that can be shared with other services, butonly the minimum, mandatory necessary data and none of the encryptionmethod, key, or images used to communicate with card 100, whichrepresent a second, “security” loop. Each loop is a different, logicallycomplete closed loop, with the two different loops extending in twodirections.

In an exemplary embodiment, there are plural layers associated withessentially the whole of the face or first major surface 101 of card 100and alternatively, the faces of both sides of card 100, i.e., firstmajor surface 101 and second major surface 102. Card 100 may have a way,in addition to cell-dock software as shown, to create handshake routinesetc. Among the plurality of layers may be, and in the order shown, anLED (Surface mount) layer, a CCD layer (Just below or offset from theLED layer), and a MAG OUT/IN layer (again, just below/under the CCDlayer, and no need to offset from either CCD or LED, but, may act ontiny crystals with dopant causing the crystals to change opaqueness inpresence of a magnetic field; e.g., see FIG. 4D, more complex array andFIGS. 7A to 8B).

In an exemplary embodiment, the light emitting portion of card 100 hasan opportunity by way of its design. The light emitting portion, e.g.,light emitting pixel elements 107, can emit colors not in the humanvisual range. While the human eye cannot detect certain frequencies ormodulations, the light receiving/detection units 126 and 128 (e.g., CCD)can detect them. The patterns transmitted from light emitting pixelelements 107 of a card 100 or other device that are received by lightdetecting pixel elements 148, or the patterns sent across from one card100 to a second card 100, allow for a highly complex handshake event,sync up or synchronization event, and encrypted login. This handshakeevent, synchronization event, and encrypted login can include, forexample, colors not visible to the human eye and patterns which changeas a function of time.

The magnetic-out and magnetic-in layers could be formed as two layers insome embodiments. The same piezoelectric or micro-coil that sendsmagnetic data can also receive it, so card 100 can be designed andconfigured to perform or salvage dual functions from one layer or eachpixel of a layer. The density of magnetic “pixels” is not needed inconcentration so much as it is for DISPLAY technology. Only enoughmagnetics in a given unit area to make a field of strength X (where X isa sufficient value to write to legacy readers), matters in terms ofdensity and placement. The density only has to trick a stripe reader orexisting magnetic reader into “seeing” the magnetic data pass by.

While the discussion hereinabove has focused on magnetic-out pixels 109and magnetic-in pixels 150 having sufficient energy to emulate a legacymagnetic strip or stripe 104, in another exemplary embodiment,magnetic-out pixels 109 are capable of generating sufficient magneticenergy and magnetic-in pixels 150 are sufficiently sensitive thatnear-field magnetic resonance imaging may be performed. While the powerof magnetic resonance imaging in the credit card form factor isrelatively low, such imaging is capable of penetrating a surface, suchas skin, to image shallow defects. Such capability may be useful forseeing splinters, hang nails, and other shallow defects, which can bebeneficial for first aid treatment and for determining whether medicalattention is necessary. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging canassist in determining the identify of a person and whether a fingerattempting to access card 100 is alive rather than a fingerprint copy orother fingerprint source rather than the finger of a living, breathinghuman. Because the speed of scanning by card 100 is high, partially dueto the shallow depth of scanning, and partially due to the capability ofprocessor 110, card 100 is able to capture magnetic resonance imagingvideo, which provides the ability to measure pulse rate, and to assistin blood pressure measurements. Thus, magnetic resonance imaging has thecapability of expanding the usefulness of card 100 as well as being partof the security features of card 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, some elements in the light emitting units122 and 124 and/or light detection units 126 and 128 can be configured,for example, utilizing MEMS and NEMS technology, to move predictively orin a predetermined manner according to a voltage or field generatedexternal or internal to card 100, for example, according to a magneticfield generated. As such, light going out or in card 100 can be modifiedslightly by the magnetic field generated by card 100 or from an externalsource. The magnetic component can thus modulate the light signal. Thelight signal can also act as a carrier in the classic sense, carryingdata at higher frequencies. Also, array elements of other the intermixedarrays present on card 100, for example, elements of an array of themagnetic-out units 134 and 135 can be similarly configured to moveaccording to a voltage, current or field etc. from an applied source.Such modulators, for example, can perform low frequency modulation ofemitted light, which can allow for a sophisticated way of performing ahandshake negotiation. For example, light emitted from first lightemitting unit 122 and second light emitting unit 124 may providespecific identification information required as part of a handshakenegotiation. However, low frequency light modulation, which may beprovided by initial handshake information, can form a second portion ofthe handshake identification, which may either be predetermined andknown to server 200 or other device, or may be determined on the basisof an on-the-spot generated algorithm, determines whether card 100 isauthorized to perform the required transaction. In an exemplaryembodiment, the authorized user may know a separate PIN or other numberof identifying characteristics that determine the frequency of the lowfrequency light modulation, and improper modulation identifies the useras being non-authorized, potentially requiring additional identificationor a call to the authorities for apprehension.

Card 100 may further use an embedded sound element and communicate witha jingle with the purpose of getting the POS operator to scan a user'scoupons first (or codes present on physical or virtual coupons, such asbarcode and Qr), then process the transaction. The Bar Code or Qr codemerely encrypts all of the coupons applicable to a user's purchase.

Deals for goods or services can be based on a user agreement to sharemarket data (e.g., while preserving their personal sensitive data) orthrough purchasing and presenting a “Groupon” (or any coupon requiringmoney up front in exchange for the coupon) just as a purchase is made toget the better deal overall, or card 100 can generate an alert thatthere is a better deal within X proximity for a specific product orservice for a given user, where X is a distance or time elementselectable by the user. Interfacing and transmitting this type ofinformation to older legacy POS systems can be accomplished in a numberof ways, for example, card 100 can present bar codes for scanning thatare readable by legacy POS systems. Further, retrofitting legacy POSsystems to accommodate card 100 is shown in figures identified elsewherein this specification.

Alternatively, one may bypass a legacy POS system, generate an entryinto the vendor (store owner) database and present an independentreceipt that certifies the vendor has been paid, such that the items arenow the user's property and the user can remove the items from the storepremises. In this way, card 100 can operate as a portable POS system.Also, venues can stop investing in their own POS systems and use system1 described herein. The vendor needs only determine that the persontrying to remove “X” from the store paid for “X” by transaction “Y”(proof of purchase). In view of the ability to “pay” for productsdynamically as they are placed in a physical or virtual cart, theability to identify each individual object uniquely can improve the POSsystem and automate inventory maintenance function for venues and storesto every party's benefit. For example, system 1 and its server 200 couldintegrate to the venue's inventory management system to decrement forpurchased items and increment for returns. If all items are uniquelyidentified with their own NFC tags, returns to a shelf can be done by apurchaser, assuming the purchaser did not open the packaging andincluded all portions of the item in the package. Of course, a venue canlimit the types of returns performed automatically so that, for example,food and certain high-value items are checked at customer service forreturn authorization.

Store security is greatly enhanced by this system since a store systemcan scan the contents of a cart as the cart approaches an exit point,and can then match the cart contents to the holder of card 100. If thecontents match the list associated with and paid for by a specific card100, the user of card 100 and the user's cart can exit withouthindrance. If the contents of the cart do not match the list generatedby card 100, or if other issues or malfunctions occur, either with thevendor's system or with card 100, alarms sound and the issue can beresolved prior to the user departing the premises. Card 100 may alsoprovide alerts at specified intervals in the event an item is returnedor other credit is issued, but the credit is not posted to theappropriate account within a predetermined period, for example, withinthirty days.

In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 can log a user into a publictransportation system. For example, logging can be performed at any timebefore a next stop (e.g., using a wireless communication between card100 and a transportation system reader). This provides the user moretime and less grouping of people at transportation system bottlenecks,such as at a reader when entering the train station. Government,municipalities and businesses also want more security, and thebiometrics of card 100 will provide this enhanced level of security. Forexample, these biometrics may be synchronized and sent with the wirelesscommunications described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a door or lock (not shown) can include, orotherwise be associated with a display system using a configurationsimilar to card 100 (e.g., including intermixed array surface technologyof card 100 generally depicted in FIGS. 3-5, 7A-7B and 8A-8B) such thatthe door or lock includes technology that is compatible with card 100.In an exemplary embodiment, a user can provide card 100 in a holder suchthat it faces the display of the door or lock, does a handshake with thedisplay system of the door or lock along the lines of the previouslydescribed handshake, and the door or lock determines that it knows card100 using an identifier, such as card XXXYYYZZZ that is unique to auser. Next, the holder with card 100 has to pass a second securitymeasure before allowing entry through the door or unlocking the lock. Inthe second measure, card 100 can pass a code, fingerprint, or other dataincluding biometric data, which the door or lock can recognize.

For the biometric data, card 100 can take more biometrics as describedherein, including two or more biometrics from a single target. Forexample, a fingerprint, a capillary map of the same finger, etc.Additionally, biometric readings can be taken from a target object(e.g., a finger or thumb) on or near the surface at any position on thesurface, from different target objects (e.g., both a forefinger and athumb) from both sides of card 100 when dual sided, and multiplebiometrics for each object on each side. In an exemplary embodiment, afirst biometric, e.g., a fingerprint, may be acquired from a firsttarget object on one side of card 100 while a second biometric, e.g.,capillary patterns, may be acquired from a second target object on asecond side of card 100. In an exemplary embodiment and in order toprevent the scenarios often posited in fiction for this type of device,where an eye, finger, or other body part is acquired from a victim as anentry device, card 100 has the capability of verifying temperaturethrough first light detection unit 126 and second light detection unit128, which are able to determine approximate body temperature due to theability of light detection units 126 and 128 to receive infrared or heatwavelengths. In another embodiment, card 100 can also include one ormore temperature sensors for determining the temperature of nearbyobjects. Furthermore, card 100 is also able to verify blood flowpatterns and other indicators that are unique to each individual andfunction only with a live body by the sensitivity of the sensor layersin card 100. This type of multipart authentication/verification of aportion of a body can be used for any other application of a user card100 described herein. Further, card 100 can be associated with controlsfor uses such that a biometric is associated with that use (thatmoment). In this way, a command issued by a user, the user's identity,or failure to issue a command can be tracked and card 100 locked when apredetermined condition is not met. For example, card 100 can generate adisplay: “TOUCH HERE WITHIN 5 SECONDS TO CONTINUE,” and if the user doesnot, or the biometric does not match that associated with card 100, card100 locks and the last known biometric to touch or command card 100 isnoted and stored. In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 may include abuffer or storage unit to store biometrically authenticated informationfor each action taken on or with card 100. Such information may becompressed to save storage space, or overwritten with newer data, or maybe downloaded to another location when card 100 interfaces with a serveror network.

In an embodiment, a door can have the same display technology as card100 so placing card 100 in the holder, which can be an insert into aslot, if allowed to stop moving for say 1/10th of a second, thehandshake and command passes with encryption. An embodiment can requireplural cards 100 to gain access, such that cards 100 are presentedtogether in a holder (not shown), or, presented in a predeterminedorder. The card holder in the lock, door, or other portal, containeretc. in such an embodiment can hold two or more cards to allow cards 100to pass data most efficiently. For higher security to gain access, oneuser can pass a card to a second user, who puts the card passed in theholder and transfers personal info to the first user and vice versa.Such transfer of personal information may be through channels that areencrypted to the opposite users, but which can be read in combination bythe door, lock, portal, container, etc. The holder can be bypassed forsmall transfers, but for bigger ones it can result in higher speed(better alignment).

Governments, institutions, business etc. may want card 100 to send somekind of indication for any data transfer between two people to a masterfile that keeps track of the data exchange, which would thus trackcombinations of individuals with the ability to access certain doors,locks, etc., with national security access. Such indications would notinclude the actual data used to open or access doors, locks, etc., orthe type of data transferred if not directly involved in opening oraccessing doors, locks, etc., to maintain privacy, but such datatransfer tracking may protect citizens from nefarious activities, trackbad people (criminal) etc.

Card 100 can come with alignment features, such as holes, pegs, orcorner delimiters (not shown), which could be present on a cell phone orother device intended to dock with card 100 to dock two or more cards100, face to face, where each card 100 straddles the pegs (or is heldbetween delimiters). These alignment features can allow for aligningpixels to thousandths of an inch of tolerance or greater. Perfectalignment (i.e., where a maximal amount of transmitting and receivingpixels are aligned) implies maximum data transfer rates. In an exemplaryembodiment, alignment mechanisms can be presented as peripheral grooves(not shown) on edge 105 of card 100, which do not interfere with thefunction of card 100 and are too small to matter to human observers, foralignment needed between a plurality of cards 100 and to assurepixel-to-pixel alignment is as near perfect as needed to provide a solidconnection and handshake, and then enable stable and fast datacommunication. Magnetic levitation between cards can be utilized toachieve highly sensitive alignment, as described herein.

For less formal data transfer between two users, an embodiment caninclude two users simply holding their cards 100 together face-to-faceby hand or providing one card 100 over another card 100 placed on asurface, and then request for a short passage of data (e.g., bynavigating a screen displayed on one or both of the facing cards). Inthe case of a small block, for example, no particular alignment isneeded because a slower mode of communication is acceptable. Forexample, pixels can be combined to make a single transmitting beam fromone card 100, which is received by a group of light detecting pixelelements 148 associated with first major surface 101 or second majorsurface 102 of the other card 100. While this technique may be slowerthan a pixel to pixel data stream, it could be operated in a faster modeif single light emitting pixel elements 107 send modulated data by wayof frequency (color) modulation, and the light receiving/detectiondevice (e.g., CCD) can detect the frequency differential fast enough. Inthis manner, each connection between a light emitting pixel element 107and an associated light detecting pixel element 148, i.e., a pixelconnection across the gap between two cards 100, compares to a singledata stream. This “connection” could potentially be millions of timesfaster than a standard fiber optic connection, which this configurationis emulating (per pixel). Also, each card display inherently knows thedistance to the other by parallax estimation. Additionally, whenface-to-face, card(s) 100 can bi-directionally transfer data. As can beunderstood from the present disclosure, there are many benefits to acombined output and input pixel design from two bidirectional displaysof comparable dimensions that contain both light emitting units 122 and124 and light receivers or detection units 126 and 128 placed inproximity to one another. This configuration takes on more significancewhen a device such as card 100 is able to interface with another device,such as a laptop, cell phone, tablet, etc., that has the same displaytechnology. Now data can be transmitted and received at high speeds andthe combination of technologies enables features previously unavailable,such as high speed communication in the compact form of card 100.

Card-to-card data transfer, card-to-system, or network data transfer(and system or network to card data transfer) can take advantage of theoptical and magnetic communications aspects of card 100, while alsoleveraging biometric aspects of card 100. In a manner of speaking, card100 acts as a portable memory with biometric verification at each stageof use, and provides a much more secure method of data transfer notfound on legacy portable memories, for example, memory sticks.

In an exemplary embodiment, light emitting units 122 and 124 and lightdetection units 126 and 128 can use shared semiconductor circuitry forefficiency. For example, light emission and light collection could beperformed by a single integrated junction. With this configuration, card100 can pass data in both directions at the same time in the same actionin a single pixel position. For example, two users may hold cards facingeach other. The process can be designed and software can be written sothat neither user nor card 100 gets a transfer acknowledge unless the“card-to-card” swap of data concludes successfully. Thus, transferringdata, such as business info or personal info, becomes a simple processwithout the need for network connections to email or text, and isfurther enhanced in the manner described above to include emission andcollection of data from the same pixel.

The density of pixels on card 100 is sufficiently high to provide highdefinition display and to acquire high definition images. One advantageto such high densities is the ability to “cutout” or bypass bad pixelswith little or no effect on what an operator sees or detects. Suchcapability provides a level of redundancy that provides a high level ofreliability for card 100. Additionally, each pixel may be connectedthrough a redundant bus, control lines, etc., so that a connectivityissue can also be bypassed or resolved without loss of card 100. Becauseof the ability to “print” or form various pixels relativelyinexpensively, the various elements of card 100 may be duplicated withminimal additional cost, providing nearly 100% redundancy for theindividual elements and portions of card 100.

In an embodiment, a bidirectional emission and scan of OCR, bar code, Qrcode or another readable format can facilitate simultaneous emission anddetection between two card(s) 100 or other similarly equipped devices.The unique structure of first intermixed array 106 a and secondintermixed array 106 b allows scanning and emitting light at the sametime in the same area. For reading and writing, for a small amount ofdata, such as the items the user is buying and the credit card the useris going to use, this information can pass with the user's card 100emitting a coherent beam of information from light emitting unit 122 or124, in one bandwidth of light, and the receiving POS system can pick upthe beam on any group of pixels and gather in this small amount of data.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display on card 100 can be usable as aremote display for another device, such as a cell phone (or otherdevice, such as an electronic tablet). For example, the display of theother device and the display of card 100 can run in parallel, to show,for example, videos to friends with easier, better viewing angles or tohave a second display that is independent, for info a user may want tobe able to see, such as while eating. The display of one or more cards100 can be combined to form one larger display. Card 100 can beconfigured to communicate with all cards 100 nearby so that if cards 100determine that the proximity of other cards 100 is adjacent, and ifpermission is given by the user of card 100, card 100 is capable ofsharing an image across all adjacent cards 100, with the imageautomatically sized for the number of cards 100 available in the “X” and“Y” directions. Thus, a plurality of cards 100 can form an adaptivedisplay that enables formation of ad hoc displays, automatically. Ofcourse, the user(s) of card 100 can also establish user-defined displayconfigurations using the settings of card 100, manually overridingautomatic functions of card 100. Card 100 can be placed in a slot on amobile device, while the mobile device lays flat. Card 100 has itstether or a connection in the slot or physical port 103 a or 103 b onthe side of card 100, thus card 100 may have 2 or even 3 externaldisplays, along with the back or opposite side of card 100. Thecapability to drive multiple displays allows multi-person viewing, forexample, at a table with guests. In an exemplary embodiment, card 100can have remote control over any host device, to provide convenientoperation of the device, such as if it were an iPhone and the iPhoneincurs a damaged internal display.

The synthetic crystal used on watch crystals, which are relatively hardand scratch resistant, can be modified for use as a final outer layer ofcard 100 for durability. As another alternative, a user could also applysimple peel off covers. A protective coating for card 100 can be peeledoff to apply new ones, which stick well to an exterior of first majorsurface 101 or second major surface 102. The protective coating is thin,optically transparent, and magnetically transparent, so as to notobstruct operation of any layer described hereinabove. In the core ofcard 100, electronic VVLSI can be provided or deposited on Mylar,similarly for durability. Other core components can include carbonfiber, silica and silica compounds, titanium and titanium alloy.

Card 100, with its unique biometric assurance and network juxtaposition(can sit between two networks, such as a public network and a point ofsale system, which is network based but private and encrypted), canreport certain data of the user's personal data to a unique engineforming a service to which the user subscribes. This service, which maybe housed in server 200 or is otherwise connected to network 210, cantell other users the best deals based on outcome of any transaction,which may then be captured in database 250 and compared to other,similar transactions in processor 228. The user may be able to puttogether a personalized best deal, using some network availablediscounts and coupons, but also, other deals such as the user maycreatively find. Data from user-defined or provided deals may becompared to actual transactions or deals, forming a “best way topurchase” method used at the point of sale, is broadcast from card 100via one or more wired or wireless connections 213, 217, 223, and/or 224,archived in database 250, and made “searchable” only through this uniquemethod.

A user may define a point in a network or PC where the user wants to letdata pass. Normally, data cannot pass from card 100 to any other deviceor system. Card 100 docks and creates a bidirectional connection tocomplete the communication path. The dock for this is made of twodisplays, in parallel, programmed to ignore one another. When card 100is inserted, each side of card 100 can negotiate a connection to itscorresponding surface and then, if other conditions are met, such as theuser authorizing the communication, data can flow to and from card 100.Card 100 can maintain a record of the data flow event and if the userwishes, the actual data which was allowed to flow. All events get uniqueidentifiers assigned by card 100, and may also get unique identifiersassigned by network 210 and/or server 200. Later, when card 100 iseventually docked at its home base station, card 100 can report all ofits transactions along with the unique identifiers. Server 200 (andservice), which monitors card event reporting, performs an audit. Thissystem is a very tight security card to card exchange that translates toa social net connection.

Card 100 can have its own wireless transmitter, receiver or transceiverand use it accordingly, as described hereinabove. Card 100 is also adevice and runs dependently or independently as it is programed. Whilecard 100 may be attached to the “cloud,” card 100 is also able toemulate the cloud. Card 100 is also able to mesh network, which issimilar to the application described hereinabove where card 100 is ableto communicate with adjacent cards 100 to form larger ad hoc displays.The dock for card 100 could evolve into a transceiver and battery socard 100 may function as a server in order to perform mesh networking.By being part of a localized mesh network, card 100 forms an ad hocnetwork that requires lower power for networking functions due to theproximity of other, similar devices. Thus, each card 100 recycles andboosts the communications of nearby card(s) 100.

Magnetic stripes could just be internal, embedded underneath lightemitting pixel elements 107 that provide the display. Magnetic lines offlux passing through the display from behind need not bother the displayat all. The magnetic lines of flux provide no interference with lightemitting pixel elements 107 because LED and transistor junctiontechnologies are not affected by magnetic flux. Also, because it ispossible for card 100 to know when it is being swiped, it can conservepower by powering up the magnetic strips or stripes only during swipe.Also, the magnetic energy could be boosted during swipe because card 100knows it is in motion by way of CCD data, so a single swipe is typicallysufficient, even in a reader with a weakened magnetic head reader.

Card 100 may generate its power with an embedded coil, as in the RFIDkey ring fob (electronic). However, the display in card 100 requiresrelatively massive power, and a coil approach that relies on receptionof power when card 100 is close to a flatbed that a user scans to passdata between card 100 and the receiver may transmit inadequate power tocard 100. A key fob including sufficiently power batteries may providesufficient power for card 100, or spinning magnets concealed inproximity to card 100, which allow power transmission in a wirelesscontext. In an exemplary embodiment, power may be connected to card 100or provided to card 100 when card 100 is close to or in proximity to thePOS dock. Generally, card 100 is extremely conservative of power exceptwhen absolutely required for effective operation of card 100. Forexample, card 100 may further boost a signal along the magnetic strip,stripe, or rail which will be communicating data, as card 100 is swiped,which may be identified, for example, by using a machine vision-typewide-ranging image processing capability. Furthermore, card 100 alsoprovides touch screen emulation as well as bar-code or biometricscanning, which, along with image processing capability, can also beused to recognize or measure and to anticipate significant events forefficient power management. If the magnetic stripe extendslongitudinally the length of card 100, to coordinate the direction ofmagnetic-out data, card 100 needs to sense it is going into a stripereader or ATM (automated teller machine) slot, which it can do with theCCD and imaging processing capability, to then set the data on thedelimited magnetic layer and determine its direction. Logically, whenswiping card 100 in one of the 4 possible directions, the direction canbe preset and the user need not detect the direction of swipe. However,as an additional feature software may detect the swipe motion with theCCD and image processing software, and set the magnetic write to orientmagnetic-out data in magnetic-out pixels 109 in the direction of theswipe.

The genome of an individual can be used interchangeably as one would usetheir name, social security number, driver's license, other ID's,fingerprint, or retinal scan. The parallel data transfer capabilitymakes it possible for the user's whole genome to be transmitted foridentification purposes. Part of the image transferred is the user'sbase genome; the rest of the image will be the portion of the genomethat makes the user unique among the population base. The base genomeimage (1 of a million) and the user's differences (about 1 billion) willstill take under 1 tenth of one second, if there are a 100 millionpixels involved all working in parallel, sending serial data.

Card 100 is programmed in non-transient memory, but dormant, so as notto interfere with other cards 100 or memory storage in proximity to card100. The combination of CCD and LCD on card 100 allows card 100 to timewhen it is swiped, so as to cause electromagnetic elements ormagnetic-out pixels 109 in magnetic stripe area 104 to energize morestrongly in sync with the swipe. The ability to energize magnetic-outpixels 109 as a swipe occurs keeps EM noise down when card 100 is notbeing swiped. Another use of the combination of lightreceiving/detection (e.g. CCD) and light emission (e.g., LEDs) aspect ofcard 100 is to allow for a man-machine interface to be built into card100, e.g., touchless touch screen emulation with distance, trajectory,and velocity detection capability as well as identification of uniqueobjects. Card 100 also would be able to “see” when it is docked in itsown docking station. It could “see” the user operating or using card 100to make a record of the operation. First light detection unit 126 andsecond light detection unit 128 could be used to scan a bar code, orfirst light emitting unit 122 and second light emitting unit 124 candisplay a bar code (Qr codes etc.). Many “apps” can be generated becausecard 100 would have these receiving and emission abilities. For example,one application is the development of a language for signing, whichcould be the universal sign language, with which a user couldcommunicate with card 100 silently, using hands or fingers. The signlanguage could also be a combination of proprietary gestures. The morestreamlined and efficient, the more transactional information the usercan pass (instructions, inputs) to card 100.

Card 100 is configured to store address books for procurements intendedto be shipped to others. The user can pass address data reliably as towhom he or she wishes to select as a receiver of one or items, or theuser can select multiple addressees for multiple items in an all-in-oneprocurement, with each item going to a different destination. So, duringPOS, one swipe completes the procurement, the addresses for each itemare passed to the venue, and the venue mails them out (e.g., remote toAMAZON).

Another exemplary application is the office lunch, where people gettogether for a meal, each with their own credit card arrangements andperks. At the end of the meal, all cards 100 go in a stack to split themeal evenly. The users need not carry cash to take advantage of thismethod. In order to be used with existing restaurant systems, card 100designated the master may have, by agreement with credit card companiesand possibly other intermediaries, the ability to represent itself afterall the dividing has been accomplished, as the sole card to be used inthe transaction.

Then it simply goes in the restaurant wallet and gets run through thelegacy POS. All cards will be charged thereby as agreed in the dock orwith the financial entities in separate sessions. In the case where sucha transaction might require biometric ID as described hereinabove to beused with the credit card stored in card 100, the biometric scan isperformed to authorize credit card charging for each card 100 prior toplacing them in the stack. Card 100 designated as the master card 100will collect data from all other cards 100 in the stack, but prior toauthorizing charge, master card 100 may be removed from the stack, andwill then list the cards in the stack to enable the user to verify thatall cards 100 have been entered. Once the list of cards 100 has beenverified, the master card 100 can authorize all charges, after which allinformation passed to the master card 100 is cleared from memory andoverwritten to prevent unauthorized access to the information providedby the other cards 100 from the stack. Furthermore, the informationprovided by the other cards 100 in the stack is volatile from theperspective that the charging operation needs accomplished in a shorttime, after which all data is cleared from memory and the stack wouldneed performed again. In an exemplary embodiment, the user of the mastercard 100 has five minutes to execute the charge, after which all dataprovided by the other cards 100 is irrevocably erased.

Card 100 is relatively resistant to radiation caused by solar flares,electromagnetic pulses (EMP's), and other effects, such as the radiationcaused by a dirty bomb. Embodiments of cords (tethers) are typicallyfiber, converting to copper internal to the cord, and are thus resistantto such effects as radiation and EMP. The elements of card 100 are inthe substrate, so by shielding the substrate appropriately, card 100becomes robust in radiation, magnetic and other environments, and thereis no vulnerable point other than legacy equipment and unshieldedequipment external to card 100.

An embodiment of card 100 can incorporate all material necessary toencompass net positive buoyancy so card 100 will float in water,reliably. One method for assuring positive buoyancy is by trappinginert, non-flammable, and/or non-toxic gas, such as nitrogen, carbondioxide, or the like, in sealed pockets 176 a & 176 b, or elsewhere inthe design of card 100, to offset the mass or weight of card 100, actingas a distributed swim bladder. In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 hasno physical ports anywhere on its surface, assuring water tight functionand operation without degradation of metallic connector surfaces andwithout allowing any ingress opportunity into the plurality of layersfor moisture or dirt. As disclosed herein, embodiments can include portsthat are accessed with optics or magnetics, such as first light emittingunit 122, second light emitting unit 124, first light detection unit126, and second light detection unit 28, first magnetic-out unit 134,second magnetic-out unit 135, first magnetic-in unit 132, and secondmagnetic-in unit 133. Various magnetic features of card 100, describedin more detail hereinabove, may be used or leveraged as an anchor for amagnetic-attach tether.

The bidirectional display of the card 100 with optionally full PCfunctionality and having an invisible magnetic layer, which can beinstantly programmed to function as stripes in a plurality oforientations, allows for the greatest resolution display, for example,to view an otherwise unseen water mark or hologram, while at the sametime providing versatile credit-card form factor functionality either inlegacy magnetic stripe readers or in an equally secure optical financialtransaction.

The display has many uses. Because the display is an output device, itmay be used to augment the magnetic swipe. For ID purposes, but also, toalert the user to other opportunities pertinent to the transaction athand or, a transaction the user has indicated as being one in whichhe/she is about to undertake, to get the full details of any deals he orshe is entitled to.

As is the case with current VVLSI, pixel, or CCD related technology,technology is driving toward increased density and lower powerconsumption and waste. HD TV is but one example of this trend, but thereis merit in densities beyond what is useful to the human eye. Thesesuper high densities yield card-to-card, and card-to-device (equippedwith technology similar to card 100) communications pathways that aredifficult to clandestinely intercept and to jam or otherwise cause adifficulty in communication. The combinations of higher density of anypixel type, sound, light, magnetic or other, and the intermixing ofthese types to handshake, encrypting within each protocol, thereafter,the use of the pathways to send and receive data, and the use of manypathways to output Trojan signals, tightens the card-to-card andcard-to-device security to so high a level, not only would a publicenemy need to have the same technology or better, they have tophysically get between the two cards or card to device, they then haveto discover which signals are real and which are Trojan, and they wouldthen need to break encryption across multiple protocols, such as light,sound and/or magnetic. Further, the present disclosure is not to belimited to two cards or card to device communication, but is applicableto any device with this technology fully integrated, communicating withanother device with this technology, fully integrated. Always, with asupercomputer, there are odds and calculation which provides for howlong it takes to interpret and decrypt a signal. However, in this case,the public enemy must crack billions of possible pathways to then knowwhat to process. At this time, Applicant believes it would bepractically impossible to crack the communications pathway andclandestinely access the data.

Further, use of dark processing and dark memory in the card can add yetanother level of protection. In this disclosure, the concepts of darkprocessing and dark memory mean VVLSI circuitry from which queryfunctions have been removed. Thus, the circuitry can take in data,process data, run software, and output data, but has had itstroubleshooting and inquiry functions removed at the factory and willnot allow new programs to be entered into the circuitry, or, newprograms can be entered but only through a complete re-burn cycle, whichcan be detected. By incorporating the elements of dark processing anddark memory (and all other supportive components or circuits which couldbe otherwise queried), the public enemy gains nothing through dissectionof a given one of a card according to this disclosure.

A user interface and apparatus that determines other features of objectsfor identification of the object can be used with system 1, along withimage processing to recognize or measure features of objects. Thecapability of analyzing, recognizing, and measuring features works withvirtual touchscreen and fingerprinting with a general machine visionapproach.

The capability of substantially the entire first major surface 101 andthe entire second major surface 102 being a light receiving/detectiondevice takes away from the complexity of “scanning a finger print” andbrings in the new complexity of “scanning more of the finger, perhapsthe whole finger in 3-D (meaning, all sides). When an exemplaryembodiment of the card of the present disclosure scans a finger, (orthumb, which throughout this specification is included in the word“finger”) it may scan the whole finger for more certain ID, by requiringthe finger to be rotated during scanning. In an exemplary embodiment,card 100 may supplant a driver's license and States, which may broadlybe described as government, may adopt the ability to securely transmitdriving privileges to privately owned cards 100 to reduce costs and tosave money. The State continues to charge the same price at the DMV orits equivalent, and takes the user's picture, but after that the userreceives an issued license via electronic communications. The Statecould even have similar technology at their POS terminals requiringin-person capture of the user's license.

The present disclosure provides a device that, while keeping all the POSand internet marketing capabilities, gives the user an incentive toadopt this specific form factor with maximal two-way display in place ofother solutions. In some embodiments card 100 may emulate a touch screenwithout actual touch, by being able to detect an object through imagingpixels, e.g., light detecting pixel elements 148, and processing thereceived data internally, using advanced image processing techniques(e.g., DSP (Digital Signal Processing)). Thus, the card user cannavigate through screens and make selections of display icons and filesas though using a touch screen without actually touching a surface, byusing positions of fingers, finger gestures, a stylus, etc. Someembodiments may provide a lens, or micro-lens arrangement along firstmajor surface 101 or first major surface 102, or both, gathering lightto a patch of CCD or CMOS pixels to form a net sum image based on the(possibly multiple and/or non-visible) frequencies of light beingdetected. Card 100 encompasses a surface area the size of a credit cardcapable of detailed up close images, such as retinal scan, fingerprint,or a plastic credit card pressed up against the card. Images captured inthis manner may aid in emulating the old card, thereby acquiring thelook of the old card and its magnetic data. A user may then store theold card in a safe place and the user never needs to carry it again.Further, card 100 can store the location of the old legacy card so thatthe user can find the legacy card later.

Furthermore, as with the driver's license example, a “credit card” maybe downloaded virtually to card 100 by way of a computer display or asecure file transmitted by wired or wireless connection. To download a“credit card,” in one embodiment the user places card 100 on aconventional computer display that contains a display of the “creditcard” information, such as an LED or LCD type display, in a locationestablished for that specific download, and the “credit card” issecurely transmitted to card 100 without the possibility of interceptionby anyone around the computer display.

This smarter card, as envisioned by the present disclosure, providesmany new uses as a tool for vendors. For example, in the case that avendor or vendor's representative may wish to display an image ofmerchandise not readily available for viewing, a corresponding bar codecan be provided or displayed on the representative's smart card,enabling a sale to take place without further arrangement orpresentation. In such a case, both POS and buyer cards must dialogsecurely using optical media since availability of a card-swipe readeris not guaranteed.

Card 100 is bidirectional. It can send and receive data simultaneously.In the face-to-face mode, with almost no air gap, the card couldroutinely use its infra-red, ultraviolet, and visible outputs and inputsto detect any membrane put between card 100 and an adjacent surfacetransmitting or receiving data. Thus, data can pass from card to POS,for example, and POS to card. When card 100 is docked, or, if it has awireless adaptor, card 100 can also send and receive data through thedocking connection or the wireless connection. By combining handshakeand data transfer across optical, magnetic and aural pathways, such aconnection is impregnable to any third party interference, since data istransmitted between two adjacent or side-by-side screens in closeproximity, which may be within millimeters of each other, so that datais passed between numerous pixels or banks of pixels. Much of the outputand input emitted by most of the pixels could be Trojans, furtherintended to throw off the public enemy.

Some embodiments may include forcing data passage and decryption to goin stages, so there is time for card 100 to gather in the perks andapply them.

Card 100 can take on the “personality” intended, corresponding to asaved card that has been chosen as “active” and card 100 can indicatethe “active” card by the display of card 100. The display of card 100can also serve as a communications tool. As POS systems become morefeature rich, card 100 can, for example, pass a facial image and ID infoto the POS operator.

So, rather than having to ask for an ID, card 100 is the ID, doubling asthe credit card, debit card, or other type of payment card. The pictureis encrypted in memory and can carry the state logo and driver's licenseinfo, which certifies that card 100, the VISA account (or any other typeof account), and the image of the user, are all one in the same, i.e.,card 100 cannot be stolen if the image on it of the user is very clearlyidentifiable, and carries the state encrypted water mark assuring thatthe user's identity is passed with the transaction in order to minimizethe opportunity for fraud, and thus minimizing the impact to the economyfrom payment card fraud. The POS system, if improved, could enlarge orblow up the picture of the user with high resolution, thus enforcing theidea that the person presenting card 100 needs to match the informationcarried by card 100. Further, the POS system could incorporate its ownCCTV camera and compare the person's real, face-to-face or in-personimage with that passed from card 100. Therein, automatic alerts could betripped to protect the venue and the real user and owner of card 100.

It could be said, as a side bar note, card 100, being endowed byemission and collection capabilities on both sides of card 100, and witha possibility of a plurality of emission and collection technologies,uses at least one of magnetic and optical technologies for an embodimentnow, which reaches back to or enables communication with legacy readers,and may add more read and write technologic functions to evolve to thefuture point of sale systems. An example would be to use the mag, lightor optical, and aural aspects in a flatbed type POS system, handshaking,passing data and emitting many Trojan signals, to absolutely lock outthe public enemy.

A business such as a restaurant, building material store, or courier canemploy or subcontract to mobile employees to interface with customers.Card 100 can assist in this regard, in that it is a portable POS in itsown right. For example, food table-service personnel, floor-walkers, ordelivery workers can be equipped with wire-free devices to provide helpinformation from the store database, accept payment from customers, orto simply communicate on a casual basis. The restaurant may provide amobile platform, such as that proposed in the present disclosure, foremployee use. Further, savings to the employer can result if employeesuse their own device if care is taken to create a barrier such as alogin account between personal and work-related software running on thesame platform. If an employee has card 100 already, that employee's card100 can become automatically known to the restaurant network as anauthorized employee card as a function of card 100 and its supportiveservices.

Furthermore, a buyer may wish to inquire about related artwork not ondisplay. Seller may show, for example, a slide show of related art heldin inventory, with barcodes demonstrably associated with each slide showitem to assure the buyer of accuracy of the transaction. Thus, thepresent disclosure provides for an improved decentralization of the POS,especially in that temporary staff may contribute to the smoothfunctioning of the business without requiring a large investment.Decentralizing the POS provides at least these benefits. System 1 candistribute and decentralize the POS station, such that this mobiledevice may act in this capacity

Card 100 can read more than bar codes. It actually can look at the itemand scan any other markings to help identify the item or to find closematches. This capability works with virtual touchscreen andfingerprinting with a general machine vision approach. A user interfaceand apparatus that determines other features of the object (like color,texture) for identification of the object can be used with card 100 andsystem 1. This description implies by its nature, a two or threedimensional search function which further implies, libraries of imageswhich are more pixelated than current data structures. More pixelsmatter, because software can detect them and compare images in a searchand as such, the idea that there can be more uniquely identifiableimages is supported by the ever increasing pixel densities. Arguably,two watches, side by side, made by the same manufacturer, scanned in 3dimensions, cannot be identified one from the other at say 1 million by1 million by 1 million pixels per square inch. However at 100 billion by100 billion by 100 billion pixels per square inch, in a completelyaccurate scan of the items in question, there will be visible, vastdifferences between the “like” objects, so much so that 1 million ofthese objects will be immediately uniquely identifiable one from thenext, due to manufacturing processes leaving unique markings on eachitem, as that level of magnification 100 billion pixels per planarimage, reveals.

As part of POS system improvements, data can be passed in two groups.Group 1 is the items being purchased, if pre-scanned, or the POSoperator has to scan them all in and card 100 picks up the list in itsfirst receipt of data. Card 100 then asks the supportive service for anyand all perks based on the list, and they are applied. Now, the paymentis rendered. The data burst needed to pass the coupons and paymentmethod(s) constitutes Group 2. These data bursts need only be tenths ofa second in duration and tenths of a second apart.

When the items are already coded uniquely, nothing needs to be added,just loaded in the user's cart and the user can immediately continueshopping or proceed to checkout. The user's card 100 POS function could,if the item codes (e.g., bar, OCR, or Qr code) are not unique, add hisor her own suffix or appended codes to the packaging or box containingthe item, or have the device display one master OCR (bar code) or Qrcode and that one code points to a server file with all the items in italready. The packaging can have either an optically sensitive ormagnetically sensitive material placed in a location that is proximateor adjacent to the bar, OCR, or Qr code, and card 100 includes theability to activate the optically or magnetically sensitive material toindicate that particular package of product being purchased by the userof card 100, along with the date, time, and other information deemedimportant either by a venue's server, server 200, card 100, or the user.A portion of the information may be pre-defined or defined at the timeof purchase by the user. The actual surface area encoded withuser-supplied information is relatively small, so the optically ormagnetically sensitive material can, if needed, document multiplepurchase and return events. Card 100 automatically seeks an availablearea on the optically or magnetically sensitive material for printing,avoiding dirt, damage, stains, and any previous marking. Such markingsby the user are advantageous to the user in that the product is tied tothat user and if anyone else attempts to remove the item from the cart,the purchase will no longer match, and the item will be deemed stolen.The intent is to give the venue's POS system all the data, either faceto face, or through the internet or another network, before a userarrives at the front or nominal checkout location. Thus it is onlynecessary for the user's device to correlate a single Qr or OCR bar withthe POS system, which would point the store's system to a single recordalready in store's server that contains the user's personal/portablepoint of sale system.

Card 100 can further be able to shut card 100 down upon loss orbiometric login failure and go into a mode where card 100 can only bequeried as to how to contact the true owner of card 100, or, card 100can provide minimal data, such as a low power, low resolution display toallow the individual who finds it to return it to its rightful ownerusing the US Mail or another carrier. The display might further operateby means of a motion-sensitive screen-saver or the like to maximizelength of time the owner information is available. In an exemplaryembodiment, card 100 can carry prepaid postage or some arrangement withUSPS for this purpose.

In other exemplary embodiments, a network or website allowing users whohave used or surplus items for sale can get together with people whoneed these items. If a convenient match is found, either because ofproximity or because of convenient scheduling in common, a meeting maybe arranged, and secure transaction takes place at a public location. A“vending” user may wish to display merchandise using the display of card100 and cards 100 may transact secure personal information positivelyidentifying each party to the other. In the absence of any dock hardwareor POS equipment, an embodiment of card 100 can supply the necessarysupport to conduct such a transaction optically. The same consumer whowants these restaurant and shoe deals can be the consumer who wants tosell things. A secure exchange of ID might further take place in similarmanner because the same consumer might work as night watchman, hardwarestore employee, waiter etc. An employer in such businesses may agree tolet the employee use his or her own smart card 100 for such workpurposes, thus providing an incentive for the employer to allow theemployee to remain connected while working, an arrangement which maybenefit both.

Several dynamic issues surround the success of the services offered andthe form factor of card 100. At the same time, more technology can beincorporated as the ability to increase pixel density on a supportivesurface improves. The sensitivity of a read function will increase withtime, improving the power consumption attributes of embodiments of card100. Wireless mechanisms to communicate with card 100 and power it alsowill improve over time. It is the success of the “card” form factor, itsminimum hardware features that differ from the prior art, its immediatecross compatibility with legacy POS systems and devices requiringmagnetic swipe or read, and the services possible to deliver to card100, which sets card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein apart andpreserves their future. Because this card communicates bi-directionallyand has a backing service, the transaction complexity can change andadapt with changing circumstances, as described herein. As described inthis disclosure, the incorporation of like technology into all machinesand networks, software, and services to be accessed by a given userallows the user's effort required to make themselves known and logged tocard 100 to be repeatable with less effort during the course of a givenperiod, such as a day. Systems, software, services, transactions,networks, machines and vehicles, locks, other users, etc., need to knowthe identity of the user requesting access or use. Card 100 and system 1disclosed herein can radically change the dynamics involved in assuringthat the user is identified with absolute certainty while providingdynamic advantages to the user, thus preserving precious commodities andprotecting our planet from negligent waste.

The present disclosure taken with all that its teachings providesfurther direction to other embodiments not explicitly disclosed herein.Accordingly, the present disclosure is not intended to be limiting inany manner or form. With reference to FIGS. 7A to 8B in particular, theVVLSI and flexible construction techniques (i.e., the ability to flexcard 100 without damage to any component or element) take intoconsideration all prior art on this subject. Accordingly, the layoutsfor the form factor, in a most preferred embodiment being a credit cardsized form factor, become seemingly limitless. It is to be understoodthat any of the features and technology described herein in associationwith card 100 can migrate into other electronic devices to improveintegrated command and control over those electronic devices. The moredevices which utilize card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein, the morecard 100 can integrate to the like technology in a given device,improving security and trust.

Additionally, given the massive development of networks, services,electronic devices, personalization, protection of identity andecommerce, as well as social networks, card 100 and system 1 of thisdisclosure will be very well positioned to gain a massive following in avery short time. The widespread following through the use of card 100drives the final benefit, centering upon the developer universe, whichwill seize upon any and all opportunity to further develop card 100 andsystem 1. Support by developers will take card 100 and system 1 to manyplaces. However, Applicant feels in scope, breadth and complexity, thereader can now envision where card 100 and any subsequent use of thesame technology in differing conformations (cell phone, PAD, tablet, PC,laptop, TV, flat panel screen, etc.) will lead. For example, the layersand pixels arrangements and configurations described herein, e.g., FIGS.7B and 8B, may be included as a portion of a device, such as a cellphone, laptop, TV, tablet, etc. The keys remain, certainty as to who isusing card 100, certainty as to which card stored within card 100 isbeing accessed and which elements of card 100 were involved in atransaction, certainty as to the events which transpire, trust in thetransaction process and payment methods and the belief that the user,above all else, is served in the best manner possible while conservingtime, fuel, and not causing detrimental harm to the environment. Card100 and system 1 disclosed herein can provide a mechanism to accesssolutions to the needs of a user needs in a given day in an efficientand effective manner possible, while preserving the environment to thegreatest extent possible.

The user device, i.e., card 100, and system 1 disclosed herein supplantsthe prior art with a new design, in part, because the design lendsitself to the development of seemingly infinite applications for theuser to enjoy, much like the evolution of the cell phone. Accordingly,this new design provides platform development opportunities, much likethat which has been seen and experienced in the personal computing,portable computing and cellular telephone arena. The opportunity tofoster the development of endless “apps” for card 100 and system 1 ismade available through the specific and highly advanced hardware andnetwork connection provided by card 100 and system 1. As will becomeapparent from the present disclosure, user device 100 and system 1according to the present disclosure also offers many differentdirections in which the concept can pioneer new methods of communicatingwith security and certainty, protecting the investment fromobsolescence.

User device 100 and system 1 disclosed herein take advantage of the fullrange of possibilities available with advancing technology, to create acredit card form factor-based usable smart system that substantiallyeliminates the need for the user to continue to carry at all times, awide range of hard-copy items and portable devices. The portability ofcard 100 allows a user to perform a wide range of activities normallylimited to non-portable devices, in connection with the user's mobileactivities. For example, a user can carry, easily pocket, or otherwisesecure a card 100 according to the present disclosure while performingany of numerous physical activities (e.g., jogging/running/walking,biking, touring etc.), and thus have at the ready all the functionalityof card 100 without having to carry more bulky and damage-prone devices.

Further, user device 100 and system 1 disclosed herein use the conceptof personalizing and automating the purchase process to includeup-to-the-minute information that may be available on a network, such asthe internet or cell network, to indicate special offers that may beavailable to the user, which may depend on the user's GPS-determined (ornetwork determined) location with respect to a wide range of retailoutlets including restaurants and grocers, who have a greater need todistribute their wares in real time, while they are still fresh andacceptable to their clientele, which in this instance, arrives to theuser through card 100.

As some examples of real time retail venues who must find users in needin a critical and limited time, grocers carry fresh produce which may bediscarded and represent a total loss, while restaurants have capacityand perishables which may also go to waste if the venue cannot bookcustomers in sync with their capacity and consumables availability,again representing a total loss to the venue. These are only two venueclassifications and examples, there will be countless others which maybe venues, individuals, institutions, governments, who have criticalneed to eliminate waste and make their distribution of product andservice, highly efficient to those users within reasonable time and mayalso require reasonable distance/proximity.

Thus, an aspect of this specification is that card 100 and system 1 arenot necessarily limited to any use or function disclosed herein becausethe development of a smart card, which presides between users and theirsocial and ecommerce activities, as well as personal, business, job andsecurities related activities and computing activities (such as securestorage, secure access and remote activities) is something believed newand untapped.

Furthermore, since more and more online services are available tosellers as well as buyers, future use or function of card 100 accordingto this present disclosure and its applications, may well entailagreements between retailers, credit-card companies and users or groupsof users, to make commerce and other activities flow more freely. Legacycards and systems primarily focus on the form factor of the standardswipe card, to also provide mobile benefits and automation from withincard 100 or sourced from a service and network supporting card 100.

Further, card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein can integrate thepreemptive decision to buy, or the actual decision to buy, with all ofthe user's data, so as to automatically access the best possible deal(s)at point of sale, or preempting to ask through a network-based servicefor a better deal, per item to be purchased.

Basically, card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein can evolve toincorporate and maintain compatibility with legacy systems of ecommercebased on bank cards, credit cards and the like, evolve into a POSsystem, or integrate with more preferred methods of POS integration andinterface.

An embodiment of card 100 and system 1 can combine some or all of theuser's available payment methods, all discounts, coupons and other perksthat the user's supporting network service can provide, shopping methodsthe user can access from the history of other users who take advantageof the services supporting card 100 and system 1, allowing the user totake on massively complex payment methodologies acceptable to theseller, apply the best coupons and discounts (and other perks likedouble coupon, triple coupon, frequent flyer miles, rebates, freeextended warranties or low cost extended warranties, free gift cards,gasoline or fuel purchase credits and so forth), and conduct all aspectsof transactions with a single action (e.g., swipe). A user couldpurchase 20 items, 20 different ways using 20 different payment methodsand 60 different discounts and perks, with one action and with no wastedtime. Of course, the methodology for such purchases is pre-establishedby the user. Indeed, the user can pre-establish a plurality of paymentstrategies prior to performing any transactions. Such strategies caninclude, for example, uniform distribution over a plurality of accountsor credit cards, categorical distribution that divides purchases amongcards based on the type of card, ratio strategies that apportionpurchases based on specific ratios, and other strategies. Card 100 canestablish an infinite number of payment strategies, limited only by theimagination of the user, the number of accounts available, and memoryavailable either directly to card 100 or indirectly from server 200 orelsewhere in the cloud. The user can benefit by being told what order tocollect the items to be purchased, to save time and get through thevenue in question as efficiently as possible. This suggests there can beprofessional shoppers who lead the way and record their steps,geographically, providing selection by selection specificity, to helpother users (potential shoppers) not only save time, but also, savemoney and get the very best discounts. Accordingly, the service whichsupports user device 100 according to the present disclosure canautomatically reward the professional shopper, who could work outschemes to save the most money by working hard locally on shopping“primers” and recording all the pertinent details to conditionally orunconditionally share with other users, which includesmicro-instructions to the users on precisely where to go, what to do andthen, how to check out to receive the maximum amount of discount whilesaving the maximum amount of time. Time is a very big element for allshoppers because time can have monetary or other value to the user, andalso can translate to miles on the road (wasting fuel), which are atpresent very costly and taxing to the planet. For example, if shopperswere to become just 20% more efficient, money can be saved, energyconserved, pollution reduced, and user time increased at home or atwork. The benefits in becoming more proficient in shopping andprocurement patterns, and payment methodology become significant whenthe maximum amount of automation is applied, as provided by card 100 andsystem 1 according to the present disclosure.

Professional shoppers can keep all these elements in mind and develop,as well as share their schemes and primers, and be automaticallyrewarded for their leadership, through system 1 and more so, through itssupportive services and networks, reaching out to and touching thesubscriber base. To further leverage the disclosed card 100 and system1, communications between all users and professionals could be funneledthrough a social network, causing success stories to go viral andbenefit even more individuals.

In an embodiment, applications developers can be granted access touser's data, to the depth the user allows, in return for more discounts,better overall deals, easier to use solutions to the user's requirementsand so, unlike any other user device and system known to Applicant,system 1 disclosed herein can finally pay the user for the user'swillingness to pass their demographic data to a service provider, actingthrough the services which support card 100. It is to be understood,however, that nothing herein is intended to limit the services toexclusively supporting the user through card 100.

More and more, the reader can see, there is clearly a need for a compactform-factor, reliable and secure consumer device with improvedversatility and expanded functionality to host these applications. Card100 can be considered as “one card that does it all.” The extent offunctionality of card 100, however, will correspond to services side ofthe equation, i.e., the services that can be delivered in a networkconnection to card 100.

The present disclosure provides a user device 100 having a card formfactor and surface hardware features that take advantage of magnetic,optical and aural energy output and input, so user device 100 caninteract with a wide variety of real world situations and theinformation found on a real or virtual object, or interact withinformation deliberately deposited on real world items. The disclosedprocesses are secure and complete so as to be highly specific when thesoftware identifies and acts upon a user action, while the use of card100 to conduct legacy type transactions (inspect, buy, return, share,post etc.) becomes increasingly less complex for the user. Thisexpansion of methodologies allows each and every item with which theuser interacts to become uniquely identified. Such unique identificationcan come through markings indicating the same, or, transactional“history” recorded during a live transaction event.

Embodiments of card 100 allow for development of tracking methodologiesusing unique identifiers embedded in card 100, representing the majorcomponents found on each side of card 100 and card 100 itself, to becombined with any unique identifier that can be associated with anobject or line item in a transaction, or any unique identifier which canbe associated with any other tangible or intangible item, including butnot limited to a unit of currency, such that the use of said object,tangible item, or intangible item is tracked and thus related to theuser's specific transaction or action which first identified the uniqueidentifier. As an example, a transaction involving any form of virtualcurrency could track the use of each unit of currency or unit groupings(a 1 unit, 2 unit, 5 unit, or 20 unit transaction being fundamentallyequal to a us $1, $2, $5, or $20 note), wherein, a law enforcementagency could track the use of such units from transaction totransaction, with utter reliability. Another use is to track, forwarranty purposes and fraud avoidance, the unique instance of an objectby way of its unique identifier. In this disclosure, the term uniqueidentifier means an identification method, such as a number, text, oreven a unique image or sound, or combination thereof, which in beingunique, and in being associated with an object, such as appearing on theobject, or, appearing in a data base as a unique entry which can besolely related to the object in question, allows a processing system andthus also a user to identify a unique object with certainty. Any ofthese identifiers can be combined with the system's ability to track thehistory of an object, a tangible good, an intangible good, a unit ofcurrency, or any other tangible or intangible object to which a uniqueidentifier can be assigned to build upon the confidence of a system. Theprovenance of the item in question is established through the historydevelopment and unique identifiers, allowing for a forensic examinationof the object's true history, providing trust and certainty to any userwho will become involved in any manner with the object. The ability tobetter track the history of items also builds a more universal trust formany users. One way of building trust in a system, such as a monetarysystem, is to be assured there is no cheating and no counterfeitingwithout reasonable means to audit and control such public enemy actionsas counterfeiting. The same can be said for any system, such as equitiestransactions, purchase of anything of value from small to big ticket,and any item which will require proof of ownership for any purpose, withgreat certainty. Clearly, a bar code or Qr code, which is limited in itscapacity, can lead to a correlated entry in a data base, providing theuser and the tracking systems, with more information than the codeprovided initially.

Exemplary embodiments provide for data synchronization of all devices auser owns and operates, through card 100 or the service supporting card100. In this manner, data sync, re-sync, restoration and conversation ofdata for all the devices the user operates, is made available throughcard 100 and the services supporting card 100 (or other iterations ofdisclosed card 100 and system 1), such as PC screen, cell phone screen,POS screen, other devices with the same technology, fully integrated.With card 100 as a light, low-cost, remote display with enhancedfeatures in communication with the heavier cell phone, but located in ahandbag, pocket, etc., the cell phone could take on a reduced role,permitting the cell phone to be reduced in size and complexity while thequality of sound from a cell phone could be enhanced due to the reducedrole and streamlined design of the cell phone.

Embodiments of card 100 according to the present disclosure incorporatenew technologies for the emission, detection, recording, and externalwriting to media. These technologies can enhance the developmentalaspects of the system and include any form of positioning systems (suchas GPS), networking including wireless, automatic display adjustmentincluding orientation based on user preferences and orientationdetection components, rumble generator that does not draw from power asmuch as current generating device necessary to give tactile or hapticfeedback, a regional rumble generation on the surface that users will bemore able to detect with their fingertip (e.g. blind users), or abraille generating mechanism providing a complete language interfacebased upon tactile and also synchronized vocal driven information (e.g.,the piezoelectric portion speaks and the braille system provides tactilecharacters such that the blind individual can touch read from card 100with ease, presuming the individual is trained in braille). A tetherattached to card 100 can convert data to sound, such as a card interfacethat generates a headset interface that card 100 can detect and driveautomatically, for example, for a blind individual, or any individualwho wants to have voice driven feedback from card 100. Similarly, card100 provides a two-way voice driven pathway, in which a microphone canassociate with the headset and two-way voice, where card 100 convertsvoice to text.

In an exemplary embodiment, system 1 and card 100 can store and relateinformation about the card owner, the owner's immediate family, and/orothers who may be with the card owner on a given outing, to theavailable local facilities and goods available. In one example, themedical condition and infirmities, allergies and the like for a carduser are known to card 100 and the system can continuously orintermittently track mapping and information to the closest resourcesrelating to the medical condition, infirmity or allergy. Equally, card100 can include a mechanism through which law enforcement, paramedicsand other professionals may access this information to speed thediagnosis of a given individual who merely has their card on theirperson, but is incapacitated. This aspect of the disclosure will,without any doubt, save lives.

Embodiments of card 100 and system 1 make it possible for professionalshoppers to forge ahead of the users and record their shopping steps,both geographically and transactionally, to allow other users to “followin their footsteps” and gain the same benefits and rewards while savingthe maximum amount of time and money. In so doing, the professionalshopper could be rewarded for their participation through subscribershipand direct payment associated with the services and network support ofcard 100.

Embodiments of card 100 and system 1 can organize a user's opportunitiesin commerce, which includes rain checks, items sought, discounts,coupons or rebates with time limits, any gift cards the user owns or,gift card associated discounts, so as to keep the user informed of theseexpirations. As a calendar is needed, this same system can keep track ofreservations and cancellation of reservations for the user. A user maybe queued for a reservation at a restaurant and card 100, as well as itssupporting network and services, can alert the user if the reservationhas been confirmed. Wait times to venues could also be displayed, whichcan take the form of wait time to arrive for a confirmed reservation or,wait time before a reservation can be either confirmed or denied by auser to a goods or services provider.

An embodiment of card 100 and system 1 can allow for a card user toassociate his/her card with one or more cards of other card users, suchas in a group membership relationship. For example, card 100 can allowfor presenting data as is part of a social net, but not viewable by anyparticipants within the social net, except on their card and only in thepresence of the user, such as, during a face to face discussion. This “Iwill show you mine if you show me yours” concept allows users access todata that is not shared under any circumstance other than face-to-faceor within some spatial range, and with the proper software function, notmaintained in the receiving card as a permanent memory. Proximityrelated and conditional display of data is implied by this designfeature.

Embodiments of card 100 and system 1 can include artificiallyintelligent (AI) and/or fuzzy logic software that programs and/oroperates the hardware of card 100, as needed, just in time. The user ofcard 100 may turn the AI and/or fuzzy logic functions on and off, andmay also establish a “level” of the AI and/or fuzzy logic function. Forexample, AI and/or fuzzy logic functions may be relatively simple andpermit limited action, for example, automatic on and off functions, orautomatically communicating with a venue network. AI and/or fuzzy logicfunctions may also be more advanced, such as automatic identification ofnearby smart devices and automatically permitting establishment of an adhoc network, if card 100 deems such a network to be beneficial to theuser at that moment. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic layer ofcard 100 can be programmed to function as a magnetic stripe output insynchronization with the user's motion and intent. In this manner, card100 can be swiped in a slot type reader in any logical positionwhatsoever, even with card 100 at an angle or using a corner of card100. The “AI” or “fuzzy logic” can adjust because card 100 providesessentially a light receiving/detection device across a whole surface,inbound light analysis, digital signal processing (DSP) and objectidentification and tracking) which can be image processed and from thisinbound data, the software can process the imaging and anticipate theuser's intended function of card 100, based on a given motion and theenvironment immediately surrounding card 100, programming the necessaryelements “just in time” and conserving energy in so doing.

An embodiment of card 100 and system 1 of the present disclosure furtherleverage the presence of AI and/or fuzzy logic to shut card 100 downupon loss of card 100 or biometric logging failure and go into a modewhere card 100 can only be queried as to how to contact the true ownerof card 100, or, card 100 can provide minimal data to allow theindividual who finds it to return it to its rightful owner using the USMail or another carrier. Card 100 can carry prepaid postage for thispurpose. In an embodiment, while a card is shut down into a secure mode,may also allow a new finder of card 100 to hold card 100 up to theirown, or to a display which is equipped as card 100 is equipped, whichwill contact the true owner of card 100 using such communicationsmethods as a text, or tweet, email or other text type connection whichthen allows the new surrogate of card 100 to either meet up with thetrue owner, each providing identity information if they like (identitiesare guarded initially, as card 100 could just be dropped in the mail andarrive back to its true owner) or, providing proximity and timing data,manually, or automatically, so the two different users can locate oneanother. Card 100 and system 1 can include provision of automatic bountyfor the finder of a lost card 100, charged to the user, to encourage allusers to protect their cards from accidental loss and to increase chanceof return if card 100 is lost. In an exemplary embodiment, forassistance to the finder of a lost card 100, a bar code or Qr code isdisplayed on card 100 that provides information associated with theoriginal card owner, such as a telephone number. In a further exemplaryembodiment, the bar or Qr code links to a data entry in server 200, suchthat legacy devices can scan the code (bar or Qr) and be provided withability to contact the owner of card 100 without divulging identity ofthe user/owner who lost card 100.

An exemplary embodiment of card 100 and system 1 of the presentdisclosure can include a write function for magnetic-out pixels 109 ofmagnetic-out layers 190 a and 190 b and/or the light emitting pixelelements 107 of light emitting portion of card 100, e.g., first lightemitting unit 122 and second light emitting unit 124, to alter amagnetically sensitive or optically sensitive material outside of card100, respectively. Thereafter, card 100 is able to magnetically andoptically read the altered surface reliably. An example would be toimprint a magnetic OCR or Qr code, or a proprietary code to amagnetically programmable surface. Another example would be to imprint aphoto sensitive material using the light emitting portion of card 100.The light emitting portion of card 100 is intended to use light above,within and below the visible spectrum, as will the lightreceiving/detection (e.g., CCD) portion to detect light from above,within and below the visible spectrum. When the two writing techniquesare combined, for writing to another card, or to a machine with the sametechnology equipped and integrated to the machine, or just a paper labelor surface on an object, the object can be permanently or temporarilymarked with both an optical image and a magnetic image, where the imageis in actuality a set of recoverable (readable) data.

The level of encryption can be left to the amount of “pixels” that canbe printed and then recovered, either magnetically or optically. Anerase function may either return the written data to original stasis, orif the target is not able to be returned to original stasis, the targetcould then be written over and altered enough to be illegible. Thisfunction has many uses, one of which is to pre-label items purchasedinclusive of a unique identifier written on the item, where upon queryby any third party, the user can present a bill of sale, purchase order,receipt, or any other needed document, proving ownership of the item inquestion. The writing function can deliberately overlap elements of thewritten construct, or write with no relationship between the magneticimprint and the optical imprint. Both may be invisible to the naked eye.Since all the imprinting contains unique identifiers, the uniqueidentifiers associated with the optical write, versus the differentunique identifier assigned to the magnetic write, are retained in a database, or shared with a remote data base, such that upon any new read ofthe written magnetic and optical data, the unique identifiers, oncerecovered, must match with the previously stored data. The ability toperform such marking can serve as a very unique and powerful method ofmanaging items to be purchased, or inventoried, with reliability andtrust. For surfaces, such as those of a box, housing new inventory (orused inventory) based on the dynamics of the material, space can beprovided for multiple write and overwrite functions, if, for example,the material cannot be returned to stasis and must be permanently markedout so as not to be recordable any longer.

Card 100 and system 1 of the present disclosure allow for development ofcard 100 hardware to take advantage of the two sides, i.e., first majorsurface 101 and second major surface 102, and the hardware design ofcard 101, so as to allow information on one side or surface of card 100to be immediately displayed or converted and displayed on the other sideor surface. As such, any application from simple magnification of atarget (e.g., an image taken by a CCD on one side of card 100 isdisplayed in magnified form on the other side), conversion of a bar codeto useful information, translation of a language, conversion of amonetary value in one currency to a different currency, andidentification of units of money, such as a paper note or coin and itsvalue (with conversion or other useful information) is made possible bythe dual sided hardware of card 100. In such areas as stamp collecting,coin collecting, rare collectibles, jewelry and other small objectshaving high values, card 100 could serve as an invaluable tool inidentifying the object and immediately providing condition and valuedata, or, store the object the user has scanned for future use orevaluation. Items marked with magnetic ink can also be read, scanned,and authenticated by card 100 and its connection through server 200.Data on magnetic ink can be in the form of text characters, bar codes,images, etc. Card 100 also has the capability of writing on magneticink, and by communicating with a server, a venue owner can program suchcodes with unique identifiers maintained in the venue's server 200 on aspecific item with proper authorization to gain access to these codes.Thus, a venue has the capability of creating its own unique identifiersknown only to its server, and by adding unique non-magnetic identifiers,such as invisible optical images, e.g., a specific wavelength that isreflected, the ability to counterfeit such codes becomes extremelydifficult since a counterfeiter is unaware of the layered codingrequired to duplicate a particular identification tag.

Card 100 and system 1 of the present disclosure allow, per terms ofservice (TOS) between a user and a main service provider, and per TOS ofany agreement between the user and applications developers who areapproved by the main service provider, different application developersto have different access to the user's data based on filters andlimitations the user sets, or is permitted to set based on the TOS.Additionally, applications developers can be given controlled access tothe display of card 100 and other elements of card 100, and the datastored on the main service provider's servers. The main service whichsupports card 100 is going to typically have the least restricted ornon-restricted access to the user's data. However, sharing anyinformation or data with any entity must follow the law, the terms ofservice with applications developers, and the user's TOS agreement withthe service provider. User's data is not limited to card 100 and itsinternal transactions, but extends to all services to which the usersubscribes which can be accessed by card 100. For example, user data canmean at a minimum and without limitation, credit card, airline, bank,insurance, brokerage, and other accounts, again, with limitations set bythe user. As can be seen, applications developers can gain increasedaccess to otherwise private user data because users would be morewilling to agree to share their otherwise private data if they can seewhat they receive for that level of sharing.

User device 100 and system 1 according to the present disclosure canallow massive expansion of what a transaction may be, such as, openingof an electronic lock, locking an electronic lock, starting a piece ofmachinery, shutting down a piece of machinery, checking the status anddiagnosing a piece of machinery, accessing video or snap shotinformation about a subject, meeting a person and exchanging identitydata for later viewing, updating a social network as to a user'sactivities, and editing and deleting a user's social network activities.

This disclosure recognizes the need for segmenting social ecommerce asits own field of endeavor, focusing on localized, regional and national(as well as international) aspects of commerce as it applies to cardowners, and developing applications which leverage this new technologyand the industry required to support this new technology. For purpose ofthis disclosure, although not limited to small ticket purchases, mostsocial activities in a given length or interval of time, such as a day,involve much procurement of small ticket items such as food, energy,fuel, transportation, and groceries. Allowing users to gain access tobetter methods of accessing frequently needed tangible and intangiblegoods and services, will help the user save money and be more efficientwith their time and more “green” with their consumption habits.

Card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein can foster the creation andexpansion of the social network's ecommerce share experience, wherein,as patterns emerge which appear to be of interest to users who arepresent on a social net, the information is shared according toalgorithms developed by developers with the positive feedback of usersguiding the development.

An embodiment of card 100 and system 1 allows by preference thesuppression of all query of the user at moment of final checkout toprotect the user's rights and preserve the user's time. Examples includeno cash back, no donations, and no help needed versus, cash back,donations, and help needed to load the user's items into their vehicle(or other help). In all these cases, the provision of preferences servesto pre-process these requests so the venue can better serve the userbefore and as they arrive at the final checkout station. Even such minorelements as having enough cash for the user can be covered by way ofpreprocessing and passing the data indicating that the user is nowapproaching checkout or is the next patron to be serviced. In this way,the teller is preemptively alerted so as to have enough cash, forms,rebate certificates, offers, someone to assist the user, and anyequipment needed to assist the user, just to name a few examples, allserving to make the shopping experience and venue's servicing effortsmore efficient and thus, more enjoyable for employee of the venue andthe user, alike. Further automation allows for pre-processing or rapidautomated real time processing at the POS to include automatedredemption of coupons, or automated purchase of applicable (purchasable)coupons with automatic application and just-in-time for the transaction,automated processing of rebates, requests for rain checks, extendedwarranties, automated selection of payment means per item, to capturemaximum discount, perk, frequent flier miles or any other benefit. Thetimely preparation and presentation of these various features to eachuser on their arrival at the checkout location also benefits all theother patrons at the venue and reduces the costs for the venue bykeeping the line moving and the checkout process efficient. Everyone,i.e., all parties involved in a transaction and all those who must waitfor the transaction to be completed before they are able to reach thecheckout location, benefits.

It is to be understood that the disclosed concepts are not limited to acard, and that the disclosed design of the surface of card 100 canmigrate to the surface of tablet, laptop and desktop computers, as wellas any other computer based systems that may include control systems forvehicles, factories, military applications, and other applicability. Thenovelty of a dual sided display in a credit card form factor, which isinherent in the design of card 100, changes how people interact with acomputer and invites interaction from both sides of the display, used incard 100 as both an output and input device. The design of card 100should not be confused with touch screen technology as it incorporates adifferent method of detection for objects approaching the screen, andalthough the design can emulate touch screens, the user need not touchthe screen to select and use a virtual object, tool or other virtualcontrol.

An embodiment of card 100 in accordance with the present disclosure canbe made to be net sum positive buoyant, so card 100 will float ifdropped in liquids, such as water. In providing a waterproofconformation, card 100 can be taken reliably into difficult conditionswhile still reliably allowing the user to use it without hesitation orrisk to their connected device or transaction. A user, for example,would refrain from taking their computer or cell phone in the rain, butembodiments of a water-proof card breaks from this convention.

Card 100 and system 1 provide a platform that, aside from its myriad offeatures and support from a digital network and the users of thatnetwork, provides demographic data for the owner of a given unique card100 to enjoy. Card 100 and its supportive platform represent a fertileopportunity for applications developers to focus on the hardwarefunctions of card 100 to develop more and more applications through thesoftware and the network-based functions card 100 can easily and readilyaccess. The data from all users can be maintained as fully secure, whilepatterns users exhibit, which can be shared without affecting thesecurity or identity of a particular user through automated redaction orsecure processing, may benefit all users and may be incorporated intoprimers (schemes) and applications provided to the user with a highdegree of automation for the user to enjoy. It must be remembered at alltimes, the high degree of automation provided through the services,networks and the hardware of card 100, is considered to be a key set offactors which will relate to the user's acceptance, frequency of use,and enjoyment of card 100.

Card 100 and system 1 of the present disclosure makes it possible forother hardware and software functions to migrate into the convenientform factor provided herein, with its capabilities and common presencebefore users provides a platform opportunity for further functions andintegrations to the fullest extent the hardware and software can host.Examples range from remote control of PCs and data bases to wirelesscontrol over appliances in the home or office, emulation of a compasswith positioning and mapping, proximity related search functions, hazardwarning capability and more.

Card 100 and system 1 of the present disclosure is anticipated to causefurther changes in such systems as POS systems, as card 100 makes itsway into the market and forces change in these legacy embedded systems.For example, the POS can track when a user buys, or leaves any objectwhich requires a return. Card 100 could then alert the user when thereturn is warranted and provide guidance, such as when and how to travelto the venue to save the most time and fuel costs.

Card 100 and system 1 disclosed herein allows for incorporation ofemerging technologies that serve to miniaturize the components of card100 and increase density, such as a given CCD pixel density, which in anexemplary embodiment are represented by light detecting pixel elements148, and/or LED pixel density, which in an exemplary embodiment arerepresented by light emitting pixel elements 107, for example, toincrease the memory storage capacity or processing power, to decreasethe power consumption, to yield certain specific expectations for theevolution of card 100. In one such critical evolutionary factor, card100 can host pixel densities which are far beyond the norm because userswill no longer be seeking better photos, better videos, or service tohigh definition media players and devices. Rather, such a high densityof pixels allows for better and better encryption methods and moresecure transfers of data as all pixels need not be involved in a datatransfer and many, if not all, could send Trojan signals to furtherenhance security. Only one aligned pixel is needed to transfer most dataand in very short time (under one second). Card to card communication,or, card to a device equipped with a similar surface as card 100, willallow the use of these higher and higher densities of magnetic pixels109 and 150, light emitting pixels 107, and light collecting pixels 148,even aural pixels 111 and 113, to increase the complexity of handshake,encryption and data transfer between these devices.

Exemplary embodiments described herein provide an optical interface,pixels to pixels, e.g., LED to CCD, and vice versa, when cards 100 arebrought into close proximity, or card 100 and another device likewiseequipped with features disclosed herein. This interface provides a highdegree of security from card-to-card or between a card and a POS, orother receptacle such as an ID card reader, or for restriction ofpersonnel access to a secure facility or controlled entry to an event,such as a football game.

Card-to-card data transfer, or card-to-system or network data transfer(and system or network to card) can take advantage of the optical andmagnetic communications aspects of card 100, while also leveraging thebiometric aspects of card 100. In a manner of speaking, card 100 becomesa portable memory stick with biometric verification at each stage ofuse, and a much more secure method of data transfer not found ontraditional memory sticks. Since card 100 can be held between thumb andforefinger as well as index finger, and since scanning can be performedfrom any of the major surfaces of card 100, card 100 can image biometricdata, which may be described as optical biometric recognition, from morethan one object, for example, from three fingers and a somewhat obliqueview of the fingers, which is a very difficult view to falsify in termsof biometric falsification or emulation. A retinal scan can be added,which requires the user to hold card 100 in the same manner, but up totheir eye for a brief second to gain the retinal scan, thusincorporating three fingers and the eye features, and in going further,require a scan of the both of the user's eyes, representing a super-highlevel of biometric logging, used if and when needed. Requiring aplurality of biometric inputs to access the capabilities of card 100 or,in a multi-level security environment, requiring a greater combinationof biometric inputs to access network 210, can discourage even the mostarcane method of biometric falsification, reducing any likely fraudattempt to the extortion of the user. Should a user be coerced in theuse of card 100, using a slightly different combination of biometricinputs can set in sequence a series of actions, including an internalalgorithm to simulate network access difficulties, system accessdifficulties, and other issues that would be expected to be out of thecontrol of the user of card 100 to form a delaying tactic, whilesilently sending an automated distress signal to the authorities alongwith location information.

If card 100 is able to detect its surroundings happen to be liquid, suchas beneath card 100, as it is floating in a lake, it may emit a findersignal which is electronic, and a visible light signal, to the extentpossible while preserving internal power. The light frequency emittedcan be determined by an internal analysis of the light, selecting lightfrequencies which are more able to be seen by humans. Card 100 couldalso wait until night fall and use a frequency of light most likely tobe seen by humans, such as in the yellow color spectrum. With aproximity beacon and light, card 100 can draw in a search team orindividual searching so they may recover card 100 with ease. Theproximity wireless electronic signal may be weak and limited in itsrange, but the light emission, being controlled, could be so bandrestricted that a searcher can use a device tuned to the frequency to“see” card 100, even when human eyes cannot.

Card 100 can also encompass the incorporation of power distribution, abattery, magnetic components specific to the induction of wirelesspower, RFID, network adaptors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, one or moreprocessors, memories, extreme angle LED and CCD pixels, tactile orrumble elements, and other magnetics. Card 100 can also provide wirelesspower output to nearby devices, such as another card 100, a tether, etc.Additional magnetics which do not interfere with the function of card100 are intended for use as immobilizing means for stacking cards 100 inpreparation for very high level, encrypted, and hyper-secure datatransfer. In the realm of VVLSI and flexible (meaning flexure withoutharm to the circuitry of card 100) electronic surface production, thesenovelties will fit within the form factor and will improve as variousimprovements are incorporated into VVLSI production techniques andequally with improvements in miniaturization and manufacturingtechniques used throughout the world. Applicant also anticipatespossibilities such as repeaters for networks, mesh networking, and thedevice housing a server, rather than just a processor. As a server, card100 can host ad hoc local networks. Mesh networking brings forth thepossibility of each card 100 or any dock that is present to support card100, passing regional groups of user's data from one card 100 to thenext, acting as repeaters, so as to reach a reliable source of networkconnection in a given venue. In this manner, although all data iscontinually maintained under encryption so as to segregate it and onlyallow a user to see his/her own data, the ability to extend the reach ofa wireless network is enhanced through this incorporation of a meshnetwork architecture and distribution strategy. While such meshnetworking requires the cooperation of most users having card 100, thebenefit to the user of card 100 is access to the mesh network, becausein an exemplary embodiment, participation in the mesh network is an allor nothing proposition; i.e., only those who join the mesh network as apotential repeating site are permitted to use the mesh network. Meshnetworks have significant potential to eliminate dead spots that canoccur near structures and geographic formations if sufficient users ofcard 100 are available to mesh a signal to a location where asufficiently strong wireless signal is available.

In an exemplary embodiment, card 100, server 200, and value analyzingunit 232 work together to enable aspects of social commerce andecommerce. Social commerce includes the sharing and using of informationbetween users to make venue-based (brick and mortar) commerce moreefficient and less costly. Social ecommerce is the same as socialcommerce, applicable to virtual transactions or transactions conductedexclusively over a network by a user. In an example, while professionaland semi-professional commerce experts may make a living by developingor finding and connecting users to coupons, discounts, Groupons, andother forms of remuneration, sharing with users of card 100, these sameindividuals can further develop schemes for obtaining the items relatedto the coupons etc., with the most efficient possible action, based on agiven user's location. The process of finding and connecting users toopportunities and remuneration may include providing maps to localvenues, but may also include maps and locations within the local venue.Thus, server 200 and value analyzing unit 232 can further developintelligent algorithms allowing for a user to preemptively scan in allthe coupons, etc. that the user finds of interest so that the server candevelop a shopping plan for the user. The user can also scan in actualitems, or obtain bar codes to scan from a network, such as the internet.Actual items, bar codes, Qr codes and the like can be scanned from astandard display by card 100. The user can then be instructed by card100 as to how to obtain the items locally at the lowest possible cost inone trip, or, if several trips make the cost lower, that information canbe provided to the user. This planning and mapping feature can includemapping instructions from one point to another and within the venueitself. When a user scans in a coupon, etc., the action of scanning cantell server 200 and value analyzing unit 232 that the item(s) covered bythe coupon is (are) an item of interest for the user. System 1 can thenlook for the best deal(s) that include all coupons, etc., and the bestway to pay for the transaction(s). Venues many times have policies whichallow a user to redeem a coupon, etc. after the physical or other actualpoint of sale. Venues may also have policies which provide for priceprotection for a certain length of time, post point of sale. A venue mayalso make an agreement with the owner of system 1 and card 100, toprovide these protections to the users of card 100 for better or longerperiods of time because the use of card 100 is beneficial to the venuefrom a productivity perspective as well as from a security perspective.As such, for each item a user has scanned in a coupon or has scanned ina venue and placed in their cart, according to the terms of theaforementioned policy, server 200 and value analyzing unit 232 willcontinue to seek more coupons, etc. and methods of payment to the limitof the policy and agreement. Therein, if a user forgets to look forcoupons, etc. and server 200 and value analyzing unit 232 continue toseek these coupons, etc. for a length of time permitted by the policyand agreement of the venue, these coupons, etc. may be redeemedautomatically and applied as credits, post point of sale. When an actualsale occurs, all items involved in the sale trigger server 200 and valueanalyzing unit 232 to start the search for coupons etc. and paymentmeans which can be post transaction applied to the sale to the limit ofthe given venue policy and agreement. If redeeming coupons etc. at pointof sale and the point of sale system of a venue cannot accept thecoupons etc. in one data upload, then card 100 may present each coupon,etc. by way of bar or Qr code for scanning by the point of sale system.If the venue cannot accept the coupons, etc. at actual moment of thesale, but the venue permits post transaction crediting, applying thecoupons, etc. and other payment means in a batch process, or a one byone process, since this is fully automated and requires no humanintervention, can all be done post point of sale. One benefit to card100 and system 1 of the present disclosure is to streamline shopping,maximize benefit to users of card 100 and minimize work effort for thevenue while also making the shopping experience better for other clientsof the venue (those waiting in line behind the user in question here).Social commerce and ecommerce methods such as these, as applied to usersof card 100 and other shoppers who do not have card 100, as well as thevenue in question, will find viral support because everyone obtains abenefit and no one is losing anything in the process.

This disclosure provides but a portion of the capabilities of card 100.Because card 100 includes a plurality of sensors in a compactconfiguration, and because card 100 includes a plurality of outputs,which can include optical, aural or sound, and a plurality of radiofrequencies, e.g., Wi Fi and RFID, card 100 becomes a compact interfaceto a plurality of systems. For example, smart rooms can sense thepresence of card 100 and engage lights, heat, air conditioning,television, etc. by “learning” historical patterns of the user of card100, by being preset or predetermined by the user of card 100, or byprompting the user of card 100. Furthermore, when the user of card 100departs a room, or a house, the room or the house can respond to thedeparture by turning off lights, adjusting fans and environmentalcontrols, turning on a security system, etc.

Card 100 may also provide a connection to larger databases at the optionof the user of card 100, and provide a network of finite data that canimprove weather forecasting, traffic conditions, and potentially evencrimes given that plurality of sensors. Card 100 can be trained torecognize road patterns with its GPS function and processor 110, andwhen an anticipated speed is different from the actual speed, card 100can report this information, helping others recognize and potentiallyavoid slow spots. By analyzing the input from hundreds of cards 100, agovernment entity may be able to find the location of accidents moreprecisely.

In an exemplary embodiment, card 100 also includes the flexibility ofeither incorporating additional sensors, or being attached to additionalsensors. For example, card 100 may incorporate or be connected to acarbon monoxide sensor, oxygen sensors, ammonia sensors, chlorinesensors, etc., to determine the safety of a gaseous environment. Somesensors may permit the ability to determine whether a user's bloodoxygen level is normal or in a potentially dangerous condition, andreport this information automatically to emergency services. If multipleusers of card 100 are connected to a network and transmit suchinformation periodically, locations of pollution, toxic gases, etc., maybe more finitely mapped by the presence of numerous users. In a furtherexemplary embodiment, card 100 may use its sensors to measure barometricpressure and humidity, which may be transmitted to an organization suchas the National Weather service or a local weather aggregatingorganization. In yet another exemplary embodiment, card 100 may includeradiation detectors, permitting the ability of mapping radiation leaksor contamination. In yet another embodiment, card 100 may include aparticle measurement capability for measuring pollution, detectingsmoke, etc. In a further embodiment, card 100 may include asemiconductor neutrino detector, further enhancing the capability ofcapturing this seemingly elusive subatomic particle. In each case, theability of card 100 to connect to a local network yields vast amounts ofdata that can be used to analyze, for example, the location ofpollution, fires, rainfall, and any other attribute detectable by thesensors of card 100.

While various embodiments of the disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it is understood that these embodiments are not limitedthereto. The embodiments may be changed, modified and further applied bythose skilled in the art. Therefore, these embodiments are not limitedto the detail shown and described previously, but also include all suchchanges and modifications.

I claim:
 1. A communication device configured to sense one or morebiometric characteristics of a user, comprising: a cover structureincluding an exterior surface; a layer of display light emitting outputpixel elements positioned below the exterior surface to display imagesthrough the exterior surface; a plurality of biometric output pixelelements configured to provide an output in a direction through theexterior surface toward the user, the plurality of biometric outputpixel elements positioned below the exterior surface and overlappingwith the display light emitting input pixel elements in a directionperpendicular to the exterior surface, the plurality of biometric outputpixel elements being at least one of light emitting pixel elements andpiezoelectric-out pixel elements; a plurality of biometric input pixelelements positioned below the exterior surface and overlapping with thedisplay light emitting input pixel elements and the plurality ofbiometric output pixel elements in a direction perpendicular to theexterior display surface, the plurality of biometric input pixelelements being at least one of light detecting pixel elements andpiezoelectric-in pixel elements, and at least a portion of the pluralityof the biometric input pixel elements positioned and configured toreceive a reflected biometric input passing from the user through theexterior surface; and a processor connected to the biometric input pixelelements to process the reflected biometric input.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of biometric output pixel elements andthe plurality of biometric input pixel elements are independentlycontrollable.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofthe biometric output pixel elements is positioned to transmit an outputthrough at least one of the plurality of biometric input pixel elementsand through the exterior surface to be reflected by the user.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of biometric input pixelelements are positioned between the plurality of biometric output pixelelements and the exterior surface in a direction perpendicular to theexterior surface.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of displaylight emitting output pixel elements is positioned between the exteriorsurface and the plurality of biometric input pixel elements in adirection perpendicular to the exterior surface.
 6. The device of claim5, wherein the layer of display light emitting output pixel elements ispositioned between the exterior surface and the plurality of biometricoutput pixel elements in a direction perpendicular to the exteriorsurface.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of biometricinput pixel elements is positioned between the layer of display lightemitting output pixel elements and the plurality of biometric outputpixel elements in a direction perpendicular to the exterior surface. 8.The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of display light emittingoutput pixel elements is positioned between the exterior surface and theplurality of biometric output pixel elements in a directionperpendicular to the exterior surface.
 9. The device of claim 1, whereinthe biometric characteristic of the user is one of a fingerprint,gesture, eye, and face.
 10. The device of claim 1, further including aplurality of transmitting passages extending from the exterior surfaceto the plurality of biometric input pixel elements to direct thereflected biometric input to the biometric input pixel elements.
 11. Acommunication device configured to sense one or more biometriccharacteristics of a user, comprising: a cover structure including anexterior surface; a layer of output pixel elements positioned below theexterior surface and configured to provide an output through theexterior surface toward the user, the output pixel elements being atleast one of light emitting pixel elements and piezoelectric-out pixelelements; a layer of biometric input pixel elements positioned below theexterior surface to receive a reflected biometric input passing from theuser through the exterior surface, the biometric input pixel elementsbeing at least one of light detecting pixel elements andpiezoelectric-in pixel elements; and a processor connected to the layerof biometric input pixel elements to process the reflected biometricinput.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the layer of biometric inputpixel elements is positioned between the exterior surface and the layerof biometric output pixel elements in a direction perpendicular to theexterior surface, the output being transmitted through the layer ofbiometric input pixel elements.
 13. The device of claim 11, furtherincluding a layer of primary display light emitting output pixelelements positioned below the exterior surface to display images throughthe exterior surface.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein said layer ofprimary display light emitting output pixel elements is positionedbetween the exterior surface and the layer of biometric input pixelelements in a direction perpendicular to the exterior surface.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein said layer of biometric input pixel elementsis positioned between the primary display light emitting output pixelelements and the layer of biometric output pixel elements in a directionperpendicular to the exterior surface.
 16. The device of claim 11,wherein the biometric characteristic of the user is one of afingerprint, gesture, eye, and face.
 17. The device of claim 11, furtherincluding a plurality of transmitting passages extending from theexterior surface to the layer of biometric input pixel elements todirect the reflected biometric input to the biometric input pixelelements.